Tessa van Loenen1, Maria van den Muijsenbergh1,2, Marrigje Hofmeester1, Christopher Dowrick3, Nadja van Ginneken3, Enkeleint Aggelos Mechili4, Agapi Angelaki4, Dean Ajdukovic5, Helena Bakic5, Danica Rotar Pavlic6, Erika Zelko6, Kathryn Hoffmann7, Elena Jirovsky7, Elisabeth Sophie Mayrhuber7, Michel Dückers8,9, Trudy Mooren10, Juul Gouweloos-Trines9, László Kolozsvári11, Imre Rurik11, Christos Lionis4. 1. Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 2. Pharos, Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Psychological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. 4. Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. 5. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 6. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 7. Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. 8. Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 9. Impact, National Knowledge and Advice Centre for Psychosocial Care Concerning Critical Incidents, Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen, The Netherlands. 10. Foundation Centrum '45, Arq, Diemen, The Netherlands. 11. Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Elena Jirovsky; Kathryn Hoffmann; Elisabeth Anne-Sophie Mayrhuber; Enkeleint Aggelos Mechili; Agapi Angelaki; Dimitra Sifaki-Pistolla; Elena Petelos; Maria van den Muijsenbergh; Tessa van Loenen; Michel Dückers; László Róbert Kolozsvári; Imre Rurik; Danica Rotar Pavlič; Diana Castro Sandoval; Giulia Borgioli; Maria José Caldés Pinilla; Dean Ajduković; Pim De Graaf; Nadja van Ginneken; Christopher Dowrick; Christos Lionis Journal: Glob Health Action Date: 2018 Impact factor: 2.640
Authors: Ourania S Kotsiou; Panagiotis Kotsios; David S Srivastava; Vaios Kotsios; Konstantinos I Gourgoulianis; Aristomenis K Exadaktylos Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-08-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Flavia Riccardo; Jonathan E Suk; Laura Espinosa; Antonino Bella; Cristina Giambi; Martina Del Manso; Christian Napoli; Maria Grazia Dente; Gloria Nacca; Silvia Declich Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-05-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Ioannis G Karavokyros; George I Kirkilessis; Demetrios Schizas; Georgios Chelidonis; Emmanouil Pikoulis; John Griniatsos Journal: BMC Surg Date: 2019-02-04 Impact factor: 2.102
Authors: Manish Pareek; Teymur Noori; Sally Hargreaves; Maria van den Muijsenbergh Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-07-22 Impact factor: 3.390