British Medical Bulletin
Volume 121, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 5-18

Utilization of health care services by migrants in Europe - A systematic literature review (Review) (Open Access)

Graetz V.* , Rechel B. , Groot W. , Norredam M. , Pavlova M.
  • a Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
  • b European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands, Top Institute Evidence-Based Education Research (TIER), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
  • d Department of Public Health, Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • e Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

Abstract

Introduction: Our study reviewed the empirical evidence on the utilization of health care services by migrants in Europe, and on differences in health service utilization between migrants and non-migrants across European countries. Sources of data: A systematic literature review was performed, searching the databases Medline, Cinahl and Embase and covering the period from January 2009 to April 2016. The final number of articles included was 39. Areas of agreement: Utilization of accident and emergency services and hospitalizations were higher among migrants compared with non-migrants in most countries for which evidence was available. In contrast, screening and outpatient visits for specialized care were generally used less often by migrants. Areas of controversy: Utilization of general practitioner services among migrants compared with non-migrants presents a diverging picture. Growing points: Compared with previous systematic reviews, the results indicate a clearer picture of the differences in health service utilization between migrants and non-migrants in Europe. Areas timely for developing research: A comprehensive comparison across European countries is impossible because the number of studies is still limited. Further research should also help to identify barriers regarding the utilization of health care services by migrants. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

Author Keywords

Migrants service utilization Europe Systematic review health care

Index Keywords

hospitalization Europe Preventive Health Services human epidemiology ethics statistics and numerical data health service priority journal general practitioner outpatient ethnology screening Humans migrant health services research preventive health service Review quality control organization and management health care utilization migration utilization Utilization Review patient attitude hospital emergency service Emergency Service, Hospital Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care Transients and Migrants systematic review primary health care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018667312&doi=10.1093%2fbmb%2fldw057&partnerID=40&md5=84cd113f313d2e3313652a25f2cb491e
DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldw057
ISSN: 00071420
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English