Family Practice
Volume 31, Issue 5, 2014, Pages 571-577

Mental health problems in undocumented and documented migrants: A survey study (Article) (Open Access)

Teunissen E.* , van den Bosch L. , van Bavel E. , Mareeuw F.D. , van den Muijsenbergh M. , van Weel-Baumgarten E. , van Weel 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 Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • d Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • 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
  • g Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands, Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Abstract

Background. Undocumented migrants (UM) frequently report mental health problems. It is unknown to what extent these migrants seek help for these problems in general practice and how these issues are explored, discussed, registered and treated by GPs. Objective. To gain insight in the registration and treatment of mental health problems in general practice of UM compared to documented migrants (DM). Methods. A survey study of general practice patient records of UM and DM in nine general practices in the Netherlands. Consultation rates, registration of mental health problems, prescription of psychotropic medication and referrals to mental health care institutions of UM and DM patients were compared. Results. A total of 541 migrants were included (325 UM and 216 DM). UM consulted a GP significantly less than DM (3.1 versus 4.9 times per year). Only 20.6% of the UM had at least one mental health problem diagnosis registered compared to 44.0% of the DM. In both groups, ~10% mentioned at least one main mental health complaint during the consultation that was not coded in the record. No significant differences were found in the prescription of psychotropic medication between the two groups. UM were referred less to mental health care institutions but more often to psychiatrists than to psychologists. Conclusion. UM had less consultations with their GP, and in these consultations, less mental health problems were registered. UM were referred less to psychologists but more often to psychiatrists. GPs are advised to explore and register mental health problems more actively in UM. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

illegal migrants Mental health General practice Personal survey Migrants and transients Health records

Index Keywords

anxiety general practice information processing Netherlands depression Drug Prescriptions mental health service human psychiatrist middle aged psychosis statistics and numerical data psychologist general practitioner mental health care Mental Disorders mental disease prescription Young Adult Humans migrant psychology sleep disorder Adolescent male consultation female patient referral medical documentation Referral and Consultation Article legislation and jurisprudence Retrospective Studies major clinical study adult migration posttraumatic stress disorder addiction Psychotropic Drugs Transients and Migrants psychiatry retrospective study psychotropic agent Data Collection
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84911883890&doi=10.1093%2ffampra%2fcmu038&partnerID=40&md5=16a2f2154d59eb6827cb3ae1ff1b19a7
DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmu038
ISSN: 02632136
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English