Mixed and misunderstandings: An exploration of the meaning of racism with maternal, child, and family health nurses in South Australia

Aims The aim of this study was to explore child and family health nurses' (CaFHNs) understanding of racism. Background Despite a growing literature examining racism in health care, few studies have explored health professionals' understanding of racism and how they manage it in practice. Design A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Methods Five focus group discussions were held from January-June 2013 with 31 maternal, CaFHNs working across metropolitan South Australia. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with discourse analytic techniques. Findings Focus group discussions identified three major themes: the relationship between racism and children's health care; perception of racist health system structures that have an impact on choice and relationship building; and the need for professionals to manage the tensions arising in everyday healthcare practice. Conclusions Limited understandings of individual, structural, and ideological racism and racist practice were found. These were underpinned by discourses of multiculturalism and individualism within a framework of democratic racism. There is urgent need for nursing practice and pedagogy to centralize race and racialization to address inequities in health care.