Challenges and facilitators for health professionals providing primary healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers in high-income countries: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research
Twenty-six articles were included in a thematic analysis of challenges and facilitators for healthcare professionals providing primary healthcare for refugees and asylum-seekers in high-income countries. Three analytical constructs (healthcare encounter, healthcare system, and asylum and resettlement) were able to describe various challenges and facilitators.
Primary healthcare providers often encounter difficulties in providing culturally sensitive and effective healthcare for refugees and asylum-seekers in resettled countries. This systematic review aimed to identify challenges and facilitators for healthcare providers through thematically analyzing twenty-six articles involving 357 participants. Three analytical constructs were determined to encompass challenges and facilitators for effective healthcare: healthcare encounter, healthcare system, and asylum and resettlement. Within the context of the healthcare encounter, identified factors included the presence of a trusting relationship, communication, cultural understanding, social conditions, and time of the encounter. On the level of the healthcare system, identified factors included training and guidance, professional support, community services, resourcing, and capacity. Further challenges and facilitators were also associated with factors related to asylum and resettlement, such as policy restrictions, immigration status, and perception of resource abuse. The authors conclude their systematic review with recommendations related to clinical practice as well as health policy.
Adults, Both sexes (for groups of both male and female persons), Burns, Cardiovascular conditions, Child health, Conflict, Disability, Displaced population, Ear nose throat and eye conditions, Endocrine and metabolic conditions, Extreme violence/Accidents, Gastrointestinal/Abdominal conditions, Genitourinary and gynaecologic conditions, Health, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, Infections and infectious diseases (all), Injuries (all), Malaria and protozoal infections, Maternal and perinatal health, Mental health, Neoplasms and hematologic conditions, Nervous system and neurologic conditions, Non-communicable diseases (all), Orthopedic injuries, Other injuries, Pain and anaesthesia, Poisonings, Population displacement, Respiratory conditions, Rheumatologic conditions, Sexual and reproductive health, Skin infections, Tobacco drugs and alcohol, Vaccine-preventable infections, Viral fevers/VHF, Zoonotic and other pathogens