Abstract
This paper examines the factors that affect the access and use of medical and health information by foreign
residents in Japan. Thirty-three articles from the entire period of searchable articles in the Igaku-Chuo Zasshi, CINAHL and PubMed were selected for the study. Foreign residents experienced language barriers and lack of adequate information in a culture different from their own. It was found that social support was mainly provided by relatives and the native language community, and that information sources were limited. The results of this study indicate the importance of providing sufficient information in the native language, respect for the native culture, promotion of understanding of different healthcare systems, and community-based social support in order for foreign residents to obtain information and make their own judgments and decisions. However, the factors that influence their access to and use of information differ among foreign residents depending on their nationality and individual living environment.
