Canadian Family Physician
Volume 60, Issue 1, 2014, Pages e32-e40

Improving delivery of primary care for vulnerable migrants: Delphi consensus to prioritize innovative practice strategies (Article)

Pottie K.* , Batista R. , Mayhew M. , Mota L. , Grant K.
  • a Centre for Global Health, Institute of Population Health, Canada, C.T. Lamont Centre for Research in Primary Care, Canada, Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, 75 Bruyère St, Ottawa, ON K1S 0P6, Canada
  • b Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, Canada
  • c School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  • d School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  • e Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada

Abstract

Objective To identify and prioritize innovative strategies to address the health concerns of vulnerable migrant populations. Design Modified Delphi consensus process. Setting Canada. Participants Forty-one primary care practitioners, including family physicians and nurse practitioners, who provided care for migrant populations. Methods We used a modified Delphi consensus process to identify and prioritize innovative strategies that could potentially improve the delivery of primary health care for vulnerable migrants. Forty-one primary care practitioners from various centres across Canada who cared for migrant populations proposed strategies and participated in the consensus process. Main findings The response rate was 93% for the first round. The 3 most highly ranked practice strategies to address delivery challenges for migrants were language interpretation, comprehensive interdisciplinary care, and evidence-based guidelines. Training and mentorship for practitioners, intersectoral collaboration, and immigrant community engagement ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, as strategies to address delivery challenges. These strategies aligned with strategies coming out of the United States, Europe, and Australia, with the exception of the proposed evidencebased guidelines. Conclusion Primary health care practices across Canada now need to evolve to address the challenges inherent in caring for vulnerable migrants. The selected strategies provide guidance for practices and health systems interested in improving health care delivery for migrant populations.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population Quality Improvement teacher immigrant primary medical care refugee Australia Europe community care human Refugees Delphi Technique middle aged controlled study general practitioner consensus development language medical practice interdisciplinary research United States evidence based practice Humans consensus male Canada Emigrants and Immigrants female nurse practitioner medical education Article adult migration Delivery of Health Care practice guideline primary health care health care delivery

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893093780&partnerID=40&md5=b9d2e9c0006671221419bd539d7a0217

ISSN: 0008350X
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English