European Journal of General Practice
Volume 23, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 128-134

Exploring barriers to primary care for migrants in Greece in times of austerity: Perspectives of service providers (Article) (Open Access)

Papadakaki M.* , Lionis C. , Saridaki A. , Dowrick C. , De Brún T. , O’Reilly-De Brún M. , O’Donnell C.A. , Burns N. , Van Weel-Baumgarten E. , Van Den Muijsenbergh M. , Spiegel W. , MacFarlane A.
  • a Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece, Department of Social Work, School of Health and Social Welfare, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
  • b Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
  • c Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
  • d Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • e Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
  • f Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
  • g General Practice and Primary Care, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • h General Practice and Primary Care, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Lancaster Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Furness College, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
  • i Department of Primary and Community Care Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • j Department of Primary and Community Care Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands, Pharos Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • k Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • l Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Abstract

Background: Migration in Europe is increasing at an unprecedented rate. There is an urgent need to develop ‘migrant-sensitive healthcare systems’. However, there are many barriers to healthcare for migrants. Despite Greece’s recent, significant experiences of inward migration during a period of economic austerity, little is known about Greek primary care service providers’ experiences of delivering care to migrants. Objectives: To identify service providers’ views on the barriers to migrant healthcare. Methods: Qualitative study involving six participatory learning and action (PLA) focus group sessions with nine service providers. Data generation was informed by normalization process theory (NPT). Thematic analysis was applied to identify barriers to efficient migrant healthcare. Results: Three main provider and system-related barriers emerged: (a) emphasis on major challenges in healthcare provision, (b) low perceived control and effectiveness to support migrant healthcare, and (c) attention to impoverished local population. Conclusion: The study identified major provider and system-related barriers in the provision of primary healthcare to migrants. It is important for the healthcare system in Greece to provide appropriate supports for communication in cross-cultural consultations for its diversifying population. © 2017 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Attitudes Migrants Capacity Primary healthcare financial crisis

Index Keywords

general practice information processing communication barrier Communication Barriers medically uninsured economics social change poverty human middle aged language Cultural Competency ethnology cultural competence qualitative research health personnel attitude Attitude of Health Personnel Young Adult Humans migrant Adolescent consultation male Emigrants and Immigrants female Greece legislation and jurisprudence thematic analysis adult health care system attention Delivery of Health Care Healthcare Disparities health care disparity Focus Groups primary health care Learning health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85034639852&doi=10.1080%2f13814788.2017.1307336&partnerID=40&md5=97e2d8b9701ed8fb4f365891d60bdf94
DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2017.1307336
ISSN: 13814788
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English