Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 18, Issue 5, 2016, Pages 941-943

Importance of Interprofessional Healthcare for Vulnerable Refugee Populations (Letter)

Nies M.A.* , Lim W.Y.A. , Fanning K. , Tavanier S.
  • a Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209, United States
  • b Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209, United States
  • c Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209, United States, School of Nursing, 1311 E. Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642, United States
  • d Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209, United States, School of Nursing, 1311 E. Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642, United States

Abstract

The refugee population in the United States is steadily increasing. These populations face a plethora of diseases and chronic health problems (i.e. obesity, hypertension and depression) as they resettle into their new environment. Due to the lack of understanding, minority population refugee health is scarce and minimal at best. Refugees and healthcare professionals face similar barriers when it comes to seeking treatment and treatment itself. For example, refugees might not be able to communicate efficiently and understand the referral process while healthcare professionals do not understand the culture and language of their patients. However, more data is needed to determine if interprofessional teams consisting of differing healthcare professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, and dieticians that conduct home visits might be able to bridge the health care gap between individualized treatment and refugee needs. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

healthcare Chronic disease Refugee Interprofessional teams

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population communication barrier Communication Barriers refugee human Refugees Interprofessional Relations language Cultural Competency cultural competence United States Humans patient referral Referral and Consultation Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice organization and management attitude to health public relations Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84964514057&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-016-0424-0&partnerID=40&md5=a6e3174164c81b771bf2b3fda8f65af9
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0424-0
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English