Many refugees experience severely stressful events in their home countries, during migration and occasionally even after arrival in the country of destination. The individual reactions not only influence the mental health but also somatic well being. Traumatic events may have an essential impact on psychosocial functioning; moreover, the social circumstances during the integration process influence mental stability. Physicians play an important role in identifying possible traumatization and subsequently guiding towards adequate treatment; hence, the healthcare of refugees should regularly include psychosomatic and psychotraumatological aspects. Knowledge of screening instruments, trauma-informed care and interpreter-assisted communication are necessary to meet required standards. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Mental disorders Migration Mental health posttraumatic stress disorder trauma-informed care

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population communication barrier Germany Communication Barriers social psychology psychotraumatology refugee internist interpersonal communication mental health human psychosomatics Refugees Communicable Diseases life event Stress, Psychological mental stress procedures mandatory testing psychological well being Humans migrant psychology traumatology Article organization and management health care physician attitude migration Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Transients and Migrants Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Internal Medicine