0000000000592868
AUTHOR
Elena Riza
Guiding the development of community-based services for vulnerable migrants and refugees in Europe
Abstract The Mig-HealthCare roadmap & toolbox emphasize an approach that can be implemented at a local community level by local health professionals. The roadmap and toolbox were the main outcome of the project which combines evidence from original research and other information to present concrete steps in the provision of care to migrants and refugees at a community level. The vision of Mig-HealthCare for this roadmap & toolbox is to (1) Help the health professionals working primarily at the community health care level to familiarize themselves with the key areas of importance in refugee/migrant health (2) Provide health professionals with a valuable set of best practices and hand…
Pilot action within the framework of the Mig-HealthCare project - implementation of community-based pilot studies addressing health inequalities of migrants and refugees
Abstract In the framework of the Mig-HealthCare project, a roadmap to community-based health care was developed including a toolbox and an algorithm. The Mig-HealthCare partners piloted parts of the roadmap in 8 EU countries. Piloting included actions on health promotion issues for migrants/refugees, mental health issues, non-communicable diseases, screening for breast and cervical cancer and vaccination issues. Two recommended practices were also piloted among migrants/refugees namely the 'circle of health' and health mentors while the Greek partner tested the developed algorithm in various health settings. All pilots were evaluated using common and pilot specific indicators for (a) approp…
Determinants of Refugee and Migrant Health Status in 10 European Countries: The Mig-HealthCare Project
In this study, we collect and synthesize information on the health status of the refugee/migrant population in ten European countries in order to map refugee/migrant health needs. With this information, we identify areas of intervention and healthcare system strengthening to provide the basis for future health planning and effective healthcare provision to migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees in the European Union (EU). Methods: 1407 migrants in ten European Union countries (consortium members of the Mig-HealthCare project) were surveyed on general health, mental health, and specific diseases using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear r…
Discrimination accessing to health care services: Feelings of migrants and misunderstandings of professionals
Abstract Discrimination against migrants in healthcare settings and also the negative impact of this discrimination on their health are well documented. These experiences of discrimination may present a barrier to accessing or seeking appropriate health care. For this reason, the Mig-HealthCare project aimed to study the perceived feeling of discrimination against migrants and explore the perception of community members regarding health-related issues about migrants. In order to answer both questions, based on a mix-methods design, the Mig-Healthcare consortium collected data from 1,286 questionnaires completed by migrants/refugees in 10 EU countries and carried out 6 focus groups and 5 ind…
Policy Makers', NGO, and Healthcare Workers' Accounts of Migrants' and Refugees' Healthcare Access Across Europe : Human Rights and Citizenship Based Claims
Freely available healthcare, universally accessible to the population of citizens, is a key ideal for European welfare systems. As labor migration of the twentieth century gave way to the globalized streams of the twenty-first century, new challenges to fulfilling these ideals have emerged. The principle of freedom of movement, together with large-scale forced migration have led to large scale movements of people, making new demands on European healthcare systems which had previously been largely focused on meeting sedentary local populations' needs. Drawing on interviews with service providers working for NGOs and public healthcare systems and with policy makers across 10 European countrie…
Analysis of needs, expectations and capacities of health and social care professionals in order to provide culturally adapted care
Abstract The Mig-HealthCare consortium conducted a qualitative study of the health care needs of vulnerable migrants/refugees in Europe. The research was conducted between Fall 2017 and Spring 2018. In total, 20 focus group discussions or, where necessary individual interviews (19), were organised with health care professionals and service providers; policymakers; and representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations - NGOs. Thematic qualitative analysis was employed. The main results of the analysis show that: Health care provision for migrants is uneven throughout the EU and variations exist even within the same country. Health care providers and NGOs agree that health care for migrants…
Best practices addressing healthcare care access of migrants and refugees in European countries
Abstract Mig-healthCare has identified sources in the countries and languages of the consortium providing guidance for community-based healthcare for migrants and refugees. A total of 54 sources that refer to best practices in seven European countries were identified. Results were categorized along with the themes: organization, communication, training, education and facilities & services. Successful organizational measures were a close collaboration with different governmental authorities, NGOs, community organizations and various local service providers. Moreover, engagement with members from both the host community and the migrant/refugee community in the design and implementation ph…
Predictions concerning the use of health care services in Europe by migrants/refugees and the Mig-HealthCare Roadmap & Toolbox
Abstract Based on the multiple levels of research conducted within the project the consortium developed a roadmap & toolbox which includes the following categories: Continuity of information, Language Culture & Communication, Mental Health, Vaccinations, Maternal/child health, Health promotion, Oral health/Dental Care and NCDs while the Toolbox contains tools on these categories in different languages. The roadmap & toolbox is accessible through the project website. In addition, different scenarios, giving a comprehensive picture of the foreseen situation and the evidence-based policies and actions needed to maximize the effective delivery and sensitivity in the service of care …
Modelling healthcare access for migrants and refugees in Europe: identifying the major health issues
Abstract The Mig-HealthCare systematically searched to identify the key health areas of refugee/migrant health in order to facilitate interventions that help access to care services for migrants and refugees. The literature review was carried out in March 2018 using 3 large scientific databases using a combination of search terms following the PRISMA methodology and a standard set of items used to report on systematic reviews. Based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 118 publications were used for data extraction. It is important to note, that in almost all of the sources identified, the following cross-cutting factors were described as influencing access to heal…
Survey on the physical and mental health among migrants and refugees in ten European countries
Abstract This study discusses the main findings of the quantitative research conducted within the Mig-HealthCare consortium countries to explore the physical and mental health of migrants and refugees. The study population is defined as migrants/refugees who have been residing in Europe, for at least 6 months and up to 5 years. In order to be able to capture the recent migration flow, the analysis was based on 1169 questionnaires collected in 10 EU-Member States, answered by adult migrants residing less than 5 years in the specific country. A total of 29% of migrants stated that their health is poor or fair. Overall, 56.9% of migrants needed health care services during the last 6 months, ho…
Migrants' and refugees' health status and healthcare in Europe: A scoping literature review
Abstract Background There is increasing attention paid to the arrival of migrants from outwith the EU region to the European countries. Healthcare that is universally and equably accessible needs to be provided for these migrants throughout the range of national contexts and in response to complex and evolving individual needs. It is important to look at the evidence available on provision and access to healthcare for migrants to identify barriers to accessing healthcare and better plan necessary changes. Methods This review scoped 77 papers from nine European countries (Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain, and Sweden) in English and in country-specific languages i…
Access to Healthcare for Migrant Patients in Europe: Healthcare Discrimination and Translation Services
Background: Discrimination based on ethnicity and the lack of translation services in healthcare have been identified as main barriers to healthcare access. However, the actual experiences of migrant patients in Europe are rarely present in the literature. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess healthcare discrimination as perceived by migrants themselves and the availability of translation services in the healthcare systems of Europe. Methods: A total of 1407 migrants in 10 European Union countries (consortium members of the Mig-HealthCare project) were surveyed concerning healthcare discrimination, access to healthcare services, and need of translation services using an interview…