Roma in the healthcare systemLevstik Jašarevič, Debora (Avtor) Kočevar, Andrej (Avtor) Petrič, Daša (Avtor) Prosen, Mirko (Avtor) Ličen, Sabina (Avtor) Roma communitycultural differenceslanguage barriershealthcare workershealth literacyIntroduction. The Roma community faces numerous challenges in accessing health services, including language barriers, discrimination, low health literacy, and social exclusion. Aim. The aim of the research was to examine the experiences of health professionals in treating Roma patients, with a focus on communication, cultural differences, and access to health services. Special emphasis was also placed on the presence of antigypsyism in the healthcare system. Methods. The research was based on a qualitativedescriptive design. The sample included 15 healthcare workers with experience in treating Roma patients, primarily from the Dolenjska region. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews conducted between November and December 2024. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. Thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) Cultural characteristics of the Roma community, (2) Healthcare of Roma, (3) Interpersonal relationships between healthcare workers and Roma, (4) Communication with Roma. The results show that language barriers, low health literacy, and cultural differences are the main challenges in the treatment of Roma patients. Healthcare workers highlighted the use of “Roma helpers” – cultural mediators, communication adaptations, and educational workshops as successful strategies. Conclusion. The research highlights the importance of intercultural competences for improving healthcare for the Roma community. Healthcare professionals identified key strategies for addressing antigypsyism, such as patience, building trust, involving Roma cultural mediators, and organising targeted workshops. These strategies align with current guidelines, as they are based on respect, inclusion, and co-design of services with the Roma community. The findings can contribute to the development of tailored programmes that promote inclusion and reduce health inequalities.20262026-05-17 10:57:31Članek v reviji23048sl