Primary care for refugees and newly arrived migrants in Europe : a qualitative study on health needs, barriers and wishes

Background
 
In order to provide effective primary care for refugees and to develop interventions tailored to them, we must know their needs. Little is known of the health needs and experiences of recently arrived refugees and other migrants throughout their journey through Europe. We aimed to gain insight into their health needs, barriers in access and wishes regarding primary health care.
Methods

In the spring of 2016, we conducted a qualitative, comparative case study in seven EU countries in a centre of first arrival, two transit centres, two intermediate-stay centres and two longer-stay centres using a Participatory Learning and Action research methodology. A total of 98 refugees and 25 healthcare workers participated in 43 sessions. Transcripts and sessions reports were coded and thematically analyzed by local researchers using the same format at all sites; data were synthesized and further analyzed by two other researchers independently.

Results

The main health problems of the participants related to war and to their harsh journey like common infections and psychological distress. They encountered important barriers in accessing healthcare: time pressure, linguistic and cultural differences and lack of continuity of care. They wish for compassionate, culturally sensitive healthcare workers and for more information on procedures and health promotion.

Conclusion

Health of refugees on the move in Europe is jeopardized by their bad living circumstances and barriers in access to healthcare. To address their needs, healthcare workers have to be trained in providing integrated, compassionate and cultural competent healthcare.

Reference: 
Tessa van Loenen, Maria van den Muijsenbergh, Marrigje Hofmeester, Christopher Dowrick, Nadja van Ginneken, Enkeleint Aggelos Mechili, Agapi Angelaki, Dean Ajdukovic, Helena Bakic, Danica Rotar Pavlic, Erika Zelko, Kathryn Hoffmann, Elena Jirovsky, Elisabeth Sophie Mayrhuber, Michel Dückers, Trudy Mooren, Juul Gouweloos–Trines, László Kolozsvári, Imre Rurik, Christos Lionis | 2018
In: European Journal of Public Health, ISSN 1101-1262 ; eISSN 1464-360X | 28 | 1 | February | 82–87
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckx210
Keywords: 
Mental health care, Primary Health Care, Refugees
Affiliation author(s): 
ARQ Centre of Expertise Impact, ARQ Centrum’45 (en)