Unveiling inequity: diversity and power in collaborative care networks

This dissertation aims to critically understand how intersecting aspects of diversity shape the collaboration between professionals and carers in care networks surrounding care recipients with acquired brain injury and a migration background. A disconnection in collaborative care becomes visible, highlighting a persistent mismatch between stakeholder perspectives on what constitutes for adequate collaboration. Othering and epistemic injustice are explicitly recognized by care recipients and carers when dealing with assumptions and (un)conscious bias from professionals. Carers explicitly emphasized having to deal with discriminatory practices, based on their cultural and religious backgrounds. At the same time, professionals often attribute problems in collaboration to carers, while they do not always acknowledge their own role in that difficult collaboration. By embracing intersectionality, professionals and policymakers can challenge (un)conscious assumptions and recognize both difference and sameness amongst care recipients and carers. Critical reflexivity and ongoing dialogue are required to enable an inclusive way of collaboration. This is an ongoing process of reciprocal learning between care recipients, carers, and professionals. Sustainable change in healthcare requires commitment from policymakers, educators, and professionals to embed diversity-responsive practices throughout all levels of care and educational programs of healthcare and social work professionals.<br>