Unpacking the Mystery of the Ontario Healthcare System in Canada: Ukrainian Temporary Migrants and Healthcare System Navigation.

BackgroundIn response to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Canada welcomed thousands of temporary migrants under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. Ukrainian temporary migrants who are settled in Ontario experience acute, chronic, and complex health issues, creating additional demand upon the healthcare system. Despite a collective awareness of difficulty in accessing existing healthcare resources, little is known about how Ukrainian temporary migrants experience and utilise the Ontario healthcare system.PurposeTo explore the lived experiences of Ukrainian temporary migrants navigating the Ontario healthcare system, and to report on the results of a knowledge translation (KTr) workshop intervention delivered with this population to assist in the development of knowledge and skills related to healthcare system navigation.MethodsA KTr workshop was delivered with ten Ukrainian temporary migrants who have temporarily settled in Toronto, Canada. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was used.ResultsFour themes emerged: 1) concerns regarding accessibility and wait times; 2) difficulties navigating the healthcare system; 3) transnational health practices; and 4) a desire for increased involvement in the care plan.ConclusionsThis project highlights barriers to services and the need for healthcare providers to explore equitable and accessible solutions to support temporary migrants.