Caring for Difference: A Study on Refugee Targeted Health Care

Abstract: With health care for refugees as the overall theme, this thesis draws its theoretical reference points from several sources. Firstly, health strategies that target "refugees" in order to adjust to the new multicultural Sweden, will be discussed in relation to aspects of welfare. Secondly, I will focus on "cultural understanding" within health care personnel in relation to appeals on difference and diversity. Questions such as different needs and diverse experiences in the search for good health, are being raised and discussed with regards to postmodern themes and guidelines. I will conclude that health strategies that target difference (culture, ethnicity or refugee identity), are although important for the right of good health and good health treatments, a matter for critical reflection - as long as cultural categories in defining the need and experiences of refugees is given in connection to an idea of essentiality or fixed identities.