Medical healthcare for refugees is strictly regulated by law in Germany but the great regional variation in the implementation is currently a huge challenge for healthcare providers. Providers are often not familiar with the specific local regulations and especially in emergencies it is often not possible to clarify open questions before treating patients. The high influx of refugees in the summer and fall of 2015 led to a situation that could only be managed with the voluntary and pragmatic help of all healthcare personnel involved. This article explains the most relevant regulations covering medical healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers. In addition, the procedure for the approval of asylum status in itself can have a direct or indirect impact on the health status of these individuals especially in children; therefore, some comments are made regarding this aspect. © 2016, Springer Medizin Verlag Berlin.

Chronic disease Acute disease Pain management Emergency treatment Refugees

Germany health status falling law summer refugee health care health care personnel Article asylum seeker human emergency care