Anasthesiologie und Intensivmedizin
Volume 56, Issue 10, 2015, Pages 654-660

Primary care for refugees in Germany - First data on demographics and reasons for treatment after the establishment of basic health care in refugee camps [Primärärztliche Versorgung von Flüchtlingen in Deutschland: Erste Daten zu Demographie und Behandlungsanlässen nach Etablierung einer medizinischen Grundversorgung in Zentralen Erstaufnahmen] (Article)

Grote U. , Wildenau G. , Behrens G. , Jablonka A.*
  • a Abteilung Molekulare Hämatopoese, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany
  • b Freiberuflicher Arzt, Hannover, Germany
  • c Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany
  • d Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany

Abstract

Background: Due to current armed conflicts in the Middle East and Northern Africa, many European countries face increasing numbers of refugees. Germany is expecting about 800,000 refugees in 2015. After a long journey and associated distress, many of these refugees need medical care. Methods: During the observation period, data on treatment of refuges were unsystematically collected by physicians and assistants. Data on demographics and reasons for medical treatment were analysed. Results: During the first three days of treatment in two different refugee camps, a total of 371 refugees were seen by doctors. 73% of these patients were male, 21% under the age of 18 years. Most of these patients reported having respiratory (30%) or skin disorders (19%). Scabies represented a further problem. Conclusion: Experiences from the first three days have already outlined current problems (e.g. language problems) and approaches how to deal with them. In addition, it gives an overview of common diseases during the first phase of treatment in refugee camps in Germany. It also showed the kind of challenges medical personnel are facing (e.g. correct documentation and registration of patients). Eventually sustainable solutions need to be implemented in order to assure that all refugees will have a broad and barrier-free access to adequate health care provisions. © Anästh Intensivmed 2015.

Author Keywords

Asylum seekers Refugees Provision of health care Primary health care

Index Keywords

male female major clinical study Germany respiratory tract disease primary medical care adult refugee refugee camp demography skin disease Article scabies physician assistant clinical observation human primary health care physician
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84946917407&partnerID=40&md5=7ee6beb15c4e9afb9b8bee14bd4ee0b5
ISSN: 01705334
Cited by: 7
Original Language: German