Finding Dr. Kim: Factors Associated with How Korean Immigrants Find Doctors in the United States

• In Event: 2184 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 16. Immigration, Refugee Status, and Health

Abstract

Using a mixed method with a survey of 440 Korean immigrants and in-depth personal interviews with 120 Korean immigrants in the New York-New Jersey area, this paper examines how immigrants find doctors in the US and what factors are associated with their search. The study finds that the vast majority of Korean immigrants heavily depends on what is known as “Dr. Kim,” co-ethnic doctors in the US. Interpersonal methods are the most popular way to find doctors, followed by other methods such as using Korean business directories. By applying Andersen’s healthcare utilization model, this paper finds that different factors are related to different search methods. Predisposing factors are associated with interpersonal methods, whereas need and immigrant factors are associated with internet-based methods. The ethnicity of family doctors is also related to search methods. In addition to the factors introduced by Andersen, the analysis of in-depth interviews reveals that Korean immigrants’ legal status and engagement in the ethnic community - either professionally or religiously - are other important factors involved in their search for doctors in the US. This paper methodologically and empirically contributes to the literature on immigrant health by examining a substantial sample of one ethnic immigrant group in a particular area in the US. Moreover, it makes a theoretical contribution by confirming that Andersen’s healthcare utilization model applies to immigrants’ search for doctors in the US.

Author

• Sou Hyun Jang, City University of New York-The Graduate Center