Gesundheitswesen
Volume 71, Issue 12, 2009, Pages 839-844

Unresolved problems of undocumented migrants in Germany: An analysis of medical consultations in Berlin, Cologne and Bonn [Problemlagen von versteckt lebenden migranten in Deutschland: Analyse der medizinischen beratungsanlässe in Berlin, Bonn und Köln] (Article)

Schlöpker K. , Herrmann M. , Großer-Kaya C. , Robra B.-P. , Dippelhofer-Stiem B. , Schütze F. , Heintze C.*
  • a Charit́ Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin (CCM), Charitśplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
  • b Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Magdeburg, Germany
  • c Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Magdeburg, Germany
  • d Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Sozialmedizin und Gesundheitsökonomie, Magdeburg, Germany
  • e Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Soziologie, Magdeburg, Germany
  • f Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Soziologie, Magdeburg, Germany
  • g Charit́ Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin (CCM), Charitśplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about health related problems of undocumented migrants in Germany. Patterns for medical consultations and socio-demographic characteristics are only available in isolated reports. This article identifies and compares empirical data from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who provide medical care for unregistered migrants. Methods: Annual reports of 2006 and 2007 of the Malteser Migranten Medizin (Berlin, Cologne) and the MediNetz Bonn were selected for this document analysis. Results: We identified similarities and differences in the socio-demographic background and patterns of medical consultations between the explored regions. The number of documented migrants without medical insurance increased during the observed period. Discussion: The patterns of health-care utilisation for undocumented immigrants changed in the observed period which might be caused by the EU enlargement to the East. The heterogeneous quality of the annual reports and the lack of information about the use of alternative health-care facilities limit the results of this analysis.

Author Keywords

non-governmental organisations Undocumented migrants Consultation Health-care utilisation Medical care

Index Keywords

Germany human statistics Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female patient referral Socioeconomic Factors Referral and Consultation socioeconomics Article adult migration Utilization Review Delivery of Health Care Health Services Accessibility public health health care delivery National Health Programs
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-74549126054&doi=10.1055%2fs-0029-1220923&partnerID=40&md5=3ace8163409e9bda641df463706d5545
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1220923
ISSN: 09413790
Cited by: 6
Original Language: German