European Journal of Public Health
Volume 28, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 82-87

Primary care for refugees and newly arrived migrants in Europe: A qualitative study on health needs, barriers and wishes (Article) (Open Access)

Van Loenen T. , Van Den Muijsenbergh M.* , Hofmeester M. , Dowrick C. , Van Ginneken N. , Mechili E.A. , Angelaki A. , Ajdukovic D. , Bakic H. , Pavlic D.R. , Zelko E. , Hoffmann K. , Jirovsky E. , Mayrhuber E.S. , Dückers M. , Mooren T. , Gouweloos-Trines J. , Kolozsvári L. , Rurik I. , Lionis C.
  • a Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Impuls-Netherlands Center for Social Care Research, Nijmegen, 9101 (68), HB Nijmegen, 6500, Netherlands
  • b Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Impuls-Netherlands Center for Social Care Research, Nijmegen, 9101 (68), HB Nijmegen, 6500, Netherlands, Pharos, Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • c Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Impuls-Netherlands Center for Social Care Research, Nijmegen, 9101 (68), HB Nijmegen, 6500, Netherlands
  • d Department of Psychological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • e Department of Psychological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • f Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
  • g Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
  • h Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
  • i Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
  • j Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • k Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • l Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • m Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • n Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • o Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, Netherlands, Impact, National Knowledge and Advice Centre for Psychosocial Care Concerning Critical Incidents, Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen, Netherlands
  • p Foundation Centrum '45, Arq, Diemen, Netherlands
  • q Impact, National Knowledge and Advice Centre for Psychosocial Care Concerning Critical Incidents, Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen, Netherlands
  • r Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
  • s Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
  • t Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece

Abstract

Background In order to provide effective primary care for refugees and to develop interventions tailored to them, we must know their needs. Little is known of the health needs and experiences of recently arrived refugees and other migrants throughout their journey through Europe. We aimed to gain insight into their health needs, barriers in access and wishes regarding primary health care. Methods In the spring of 2016, we conducted a qualitative, comparative case study in seven EU countries in a centre of first arrival, two transit centres, two intermediate-stay centres and two longer-stay centres using a Participatory Learning and Action research methodology. A total of 98 refugees and 25 healthcare workers participated in 43 sessions. Transcripts and sessions reports were coded and thematically analyzed by local researchers using the same format at all sites; data were synthesized and further analyzed by two other researchers independently. Results The main health problems of the participants related to war and to their harsh journey like common infections and psychological distress. They encountered important barriers in accessing healthcare: time pressure, linguistic and cultural differences and lack of continuity of care. They wish for compassionate, culturally sensitive healthcare workers and for more information on procedures and health promotion. Conclusion Health of refugees on the move in Europe is jeopardized by their bad living circumstances and barriers in access to healthcare. To address their needs, healthcare workers have to be trained in providing integrated, compassionate and cultural competent healthcare. © 2015 The Author.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

refugee Europe human Refugees middle aged statistics and numerical data health service qualitative research Health Services Needs and Demand Young Adult Humans Adolescent health services research male female evaluation study adult migration Case-Control Studies Transients and Migrants case control study Health Services Accessibility primary health care health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041692013&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fckx210&partnerID=40&md5=24bfefc80e29188666507d1dcb875975
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx210
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English