European Journal of General Practice
Volume 22, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 119-125

Reporting mental health problems of undocumented migrants in Greece: A qualitative exploration (Article) (Open Access)

Teunissen E.* , Tsaparas A. , Saridaki A. , Trigoni M. , van Weel-Baumgarten E. , van Weel C. , van den Muijsenbergh M. , Lionis C.
  • a Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • b Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • c Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
  • d Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
  • e Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • f Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands, Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • g Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands, Pharos, Centre of Expertise for Health Disparities, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • h Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece

Abstract

Background: Mental health problems are highly prevalent amongst undocumented migrants (UMs), and often part of their consultations with general practitioners (GPs). Little empirical data are available of how GPs and UMs engage around mental health in Greece, a country with a lack of balance between primary and secondary care and limited healthcare provisions for UMs. Objectives: To acquire insight in the barriers and levers in the provision of mental healthcare for UMs by GPs in Greece. Methods: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 12 GPs in Crete, Greece with clinical expertise in the care of UMs. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim and were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Greek GPs recognized many mental health problems in UMs and identified the barriers that prevented them from discussing these problems and delivering appropriate care: growing societal resistance towards UMs, budget cuts in healthcare, administrative obstacles and lack of support from the healthcare system. To overcome these barriers, Greek GPs provided UMs with free access to care and psychotropic drugs free of charge, and referred to other primary care professionals rather than to mental healthcare institutions. Conclusion: Greek GPs experienced substantial barriers in the provision of mental healthcare to UMs and political, economic and organizational factors played a major role. © 2016 WONCA Europe (the European Society of General Practice/Family Medicine).

Author Keywords

gender and diversity Psychological problems Greece immigrants Mental health Irregular migrants general practice/family medicine

Index Keywords

mental health service economics interpersonal communication human General Practitioners general practitioner Mental Health Services mental health care qualitative research Mental Disorders interview mental disease Humans undocumented immigrant Interviews as Topic male semi structured interview female patient referral Referral and Consultation Greece supply and distribution clinical article Article organization and management migration politics Psychotropic Drugs Transients and Migrants psychotropic agent Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84975113036&doi=10.3109%2f13814788.2015.1136283&partnerID=40&md5=85ce8410e2516c43652df4b082bd8899
DOI: 10.3109/13814788.2015.1136283
ISSN: 13814788
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English