MiAZ: Strengthening care professionals with a migration background in dealing with discrimination

Unfortunately, care providers with a migration background still too often experience discrimination in the workplace. Preventing discrimination is essential. At the same time – because discrimination, despite efforts, remains a reality for now – it is also important to support and strengthen healthcare professionals with a migration background in dealing with discrimination. After all, for their well-being and professional career, they benefit from tools that, for example, help to recognize and discuss discrimination, and that assist in coping with the strong emotions it can cause. Coping strategies support their well-being and personal development, without losing sight of the need for structural solutions.

The aim of this research project is (1) to gain insight into the experiences, needs, and strategies of (future) healthcare professionals with a migration background in dealing with workplace discrimination, and (2) to design a learning module or practical guide to support and empower them. This module or guide will be further developed and tested in a subsequent project.

The research questions for this project are:

• What are the experiences, needs, and strategies of highly educated (future) healthcare professionals with a migration background in dealing with workplace discrimination?
• In what ways can we support and empower them in this regard?

We conduct exploratory research through interviews and workshops. In the workshops, the researchers will work out the outlines for a learning module/guide together with (future) healthcare professionals and experts. The participants in the research are therefore not only informants, but full partners in formulating the challenges, generating ideas and shaping the result.

Our cities are becoming increasingly diverse. In major Belgian cities such as Brussels and Antwerp, superdiversity is a reality that presents social challenges. This project contributes to the employment and inclusion of people with a migration background in the healthcare sector. The findings are valuable for healthcare professionals with a migration background, organisations that assist them in finding a job, and academic institutions seeking to enhance support for students undertaking internships.