Unpacking access barriers through the health providers' lens among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel

The Arab Bedouin ethnic minority is considered one of the most vulnerable populations in Israel due to socio-cultural factors that affect their healthcare utilization patterns. By adopting the intersectionality perspective, this research aims to identify gaps and barriers to Bedouins' healthcare services (HCS) utilization, as perceived by healthcare professionals (HCP) serving this community. A qualitative study was conducted from June 2019 to January 2022, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with thirty-two HPCs working in hospitals and community health centers/clinics in Bedouin villages and towns in Southern Israel. Reflective Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to analyze the collected data, and trustworthiness was ensured through audit, reflexivity, and peer debriefing. Findings revealed that healthcare professionals noted gaps that hinder HCS accessibility and utilization. This study found that the intersection of physical, financial, language, health literacy, and gender barriers with issues of trust, stigma, and deep-rooted socio-cultural norms and beliefs affect Bedouin healthcare accessibility. Additionally, Bedouin women are particularly vulnerable subgroups who were impacted differently by these barriers. In conclusion, our research highlights the necessity of targeted interventions to improve healthcare access for Bedouin minority populations, particularly tailoring HCS to the women subgroup within the Bedouin community. Suggested interventions include health literacy-enhancing educational initiatives, addressing medication affordability, and approaches to mitigate cultural and gendered hindrances to HCS. These insights have broader relevance for shaping health policies and strategies that bridge healthcare disparities among global minority populations.