BMC Health Services Research
Volume 18, Issue 1, 2018

A systematic review on the use of healthcare services by undocumented migrants in Europe (Review) (Open Access)

Winters M.* , Rechel B. , De Jong L. , Pavlova M.
  • a Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, Maastricht, MD 6200, Netherlands
  • b European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, Maastricht, MD 6200, Netherlands
  • d Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, Maastricht, MD 6200, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Undocumented migrants face particular challenges in accessing healthcare services in many European countries. The aim of this study was to systematically review the academic literature on the utilization of healthcare services by undocumented migrants in Europe. Methods: The databases Embase, Medline, Global Health and Cinahl Plus were searched systematically to identify quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies published in 2007-2017. Results: A total of 908 articles were retrieved. Deletion of duplicates left 531. After screening titles, abstracts and full texts according to pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 articles were included in the review. Overall, quantitative studies showed an underutilization of different types of healthcare services by undocumented migrants. Qualitative studies reported that, even when care was received, it was often inadequate or insufficient, and that many undocumented migrants were unfamiliar with their entitlements and faced barriers in utilizing healthcare services. Conclusions: Although it is difficult to generalize findings from the included studies due to methodological differences, they provide further evidence that undocumented migrants in Europe face particular problems in utilizing healthcare services. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Europe Systematic review Utilization Undocumented migrants Healthcare services

Index Keywords

Embase Cinahl Europe human epidemiology statistics and numerical data health service Medline qualitative research Undocumented Immigrants Humans migrant undocumented immigrant health services research Review health services global health utilization Utilization Review patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care systematic review Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85040818802&doi=10.1186%2fs12913-018-2838-y&partnerID=40&md5=73219935413e5a9dc33cbde599263bec
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-2838-y
ISSN: 14726963
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English