Australian Journal of Primary Health
Volume 23, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 323-328

An integrated healthcare service for asylum seekers and refugees in the South-Eastern Region of Melbourne: Monash Health Refugee Health and Wellbeing (Article)

McBride J. , Block A. , Russo A.*
  • a Refugee Health Program, Monash Health, 122 Thomas Street, Dandenong, Vic. 3175, Australia
  • b Refugee Health Program, Monash Health, 122 Thomas Street, Dandenong, Vic. 3175, Australia, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash UniversityVIC 3800, Australia
  • c Refugee Health Program, Monash Health, 122 Thomas Street, Dandenong, Vic. 3175, Australia

Abstract

Asylum seekers and refugees generally have poorer health than the broader Australian population. However, these groups experience a range of barriers to accessing universal health services. Generalist and specialist refugee health services have been established in Australia to improve the health of humanitarian migrant groups. This article describes a refugee health service established in a high-settlement region of Melbourne, Australia, and explores clients' experiences with the service. Client feedback was captured through interviews (n≤18) and surveys (n≤159). Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the service, and highlighted the value in having trusting relationships with staff, access to bicultural workers, onsite interpreting services and integrated care. The findings indicate that it is possible to engage asylum seekers and refugees through healthcare delivery that is responsive to the unique needs of this priority population. © La Trobe University 2017.

Author Keywords

primary health Immigrant health Refugee vulnerable populations. service models

Index Keywords

doctor patient relation vulnerable population immigrant refugee Australia human wellbeing Refugees statistics and numerical data qualitative research interview asylum seeker Humans psychology worker model male female patient satisfaction human experiment Australian Delivery of Health Care, Integrated integrated health care system satisfaction health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85027837611&doi=10.1071%2fPY16092&partnerID=40&md5=6c591165a36bd4cec051e13ae5b14540
DOI: 10.1071/PY16092
ISSN: 14487527
Original Language: English