Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 21, Issue 5, 2019, Pages 1157-1180

Utilisation of Healthcare Services and Medicines by Pakistani Migrants Residing in High Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis (Review)

Saleem A.* , Steadman K.J. , Fejzic J.
  • a School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
  • b School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
  • c School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia

Abstract

Migration, as a global phenomenon, gives rise to many challenges for healthcare professionals providing care to migrant populations. Migrants originating from diverse cultural backgrounds have unique beliefs and healthcare needs, and their utilisation of healthcare services and medicines is influenced by a number of factors. This review aims to assess the factors influencing the utilisation of healthcare services and medicines among Pakistani migrants residing in high income countries. The databases searched included PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and IPA. Of the 2566 publications initially obtained, 37 met the inclusion criteria. They included eight countries—the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Australia, United Arab Emirates and Cyprus. Eight descriptive themes emerged and two analytical constructs were established, as a result of thematic synthesis of included publications. The profile of utilisation of healthcare services and medicines among Pakistani migrants was multifaceted and influenced by their individual circumstances (socioeconomic characteristics; personal beliefs, preferences, and experiences; individual culture and religion; family and friends; and language and communication), and host country characteristics (work environment; healthcare organisation, access and affordability; and health professionals’ education, practices, and preferences). Awareness of population-specific characteristics of migrant communities is important to promote and implement culturally appropriate healthcare practices and service provision. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Medicines use Migrants Pharmacy Healthcare utilisation Cultural competence

Index Keywords

education publication Embase Australia United Arab Emirates Norway Cinahl human work environment friend synthesis Denmark language Medline religion cultural competence Cyprus high income country United States migrant Canada Web of Science Scopus Review Article health care utilization health care organization awareness human experiment United Kingdom transcultural care systematic review
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85057583382&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-018-0840-4&partnerID=40&md5=e0ffe29b7bdad7fbc83935172181c32e
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-018-0840-4
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English