U of W Study Reveals Discrimination Against Nurses Commuting to Michigan

Kathryn Pfaff, an associate professor of nursing at the University of Windsor, is pictured at

Windsor's waterfront, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. DAX MELMER / Windsor Star

Health care workers have been hailed as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic but a University of Windsor study has found when it comes to accessing services, many who cross the border to work have been stigmatized and discriminated against.

Data collected from 107 nurses who live in Windsor-Essex County while working in Michigan during the pandemic reveals “shocking experiences of stigma related to access to health care services in Windsor,” said Kathryn Pfaff, an associate professor in nursing, who headed up the group doing the study.

“Many have been denied health care services in clinics, labs, x-rays and optometry, along with other services, such as banking.”

The idea for the survey came from Jane Simanovski, a nurse practitioner in Michigan, who said she had heard stories of discrimination, “and while anybody who was working in the Canadian health care system was perceived to be a hero, this was definitely far from how those who were commuting to the U.S., providing health care on the American side of the border, were being perceived.”

Pfaff said the online study, conducted through a survey platform, showed high levels of anxiety, moral distress and post traumatic stress disorder among the nurses who participated.

“We also measured their perceived levels of discrimination and also their perceived level of stigma and that is very prevalent among these nurses as well,” she said. “The concern with that is we know discrimination has a negative impact on holistic health, so not just mental health but on physical health as well. Certainly these things are all related and it’s quite concerning.”

One nurse wrote at the end of her survey that she had been denied care by her chiropractor, who she had been a patient of for six years: “It’s very frustrating and disheartening when the Windsor-Essex County community treats those health care workers who commute to Michigan like they’re the ones spreading COVID.

“This community treats the health care workers in Ontario like heroes yet they are as much at risk if not more as those who cross the border.”

Another nurse spoke about her adult child not being able to receive physician care because they live with the mother who commutes to the U.S.

“How can there be in Canada different rules for nurses, regardless of where they work, or actually any health care provider,” Pfaff said. “We have to, as nurses, as health care providers, recognize that anybody really can be carrying COVID-19.

“Our systems have to be prepared in that way so that they can respond regardless of who’s coming through the door. And that includes walk-in clinics, X-ray lab facilities, any places where people are accessing health care.”

Simanovski wondered how, with universal health care, it can be legal to deny medical services to anyone.

“You need research and you need data to change policy,” Simanovski said. “I’m not sure if people in power are aware of what’s happening with this community (of health care providers that are commuters).

“We’re hoping that by shedding light on that maybe some of the policies that various clinics are providing can be clarified, can be changed, maybe (the) health unit can make their policy or rule. If you’re an essential worker and you go to work and back you are excluded from the 14-day quarantine, which does not seem to be communicated to various local clinics perhaps or organizations,” she added.

“I’m not sure if those things are happening due to lack of knowledge or ignorance or what but we definitely have room for change.”

Courtesy: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/uofw-study-reveals