Abstract
BackgroundAs in many European countries, undocumented migrants in Denmark have restricted access to healthcare. The aim of this study is to describe and analyse undocumented migrants' experiences of access to healthcare, use of alternative health-seeking strategies; and ER nurses' experiences in encounters with undocumented migrants.MethodsQualitative design using semi-structured interviews and observations. The participants included ten undocumented South Asian migrants and eight ER nurses.ResultsUndocumented migrants reported difficulties accessing healthcare. The barriers to healthcare were: limited medical rights, arbitrariness in healthcare professionals' attitudes, fear of being reported to the police, poor language skills, lack of network with Danish citizens, lack of knowledge about the healthcare system and lack of knowledge about informal networks of healthcare professionals. These barriers induced alternative health-seeking strategies, such as self-medication, contacting doctors in home countries and borrowing health insurance cards from Danish citizens. ER nurses expressed willingness to treat all patients regardless of their migratory status, but also reported challenges in the encounters with undocumented migrants. The challenges for ER nurses were: language barriers, issues of false identification, insecurities about the correct standard procedures and not always being able to provide appropriate care.ConclusionsUndocumented migrants face formal and informal barriers to the Danish healthcare system, which lead to alternative health-seeking strategies that may have adverse effects on their health. This study shows the need for policies and guidelines, which in accordance with international human rights law, ensure access to healthcare for undocumented migrants and give clarity to healthcare professionals.
Highlights
As in many European countries, undocumented migrants in Denmark have restricted access to healthcare
In this study we found that undocumented migrants face formal and informal barriers in accessing the Danish healthcare system
From the perspective of professionals situated within the healthcare system, our results show that most emergency room (ER) nurses are willing to treat undocumented migrants as they would treat any other patient, without taking their migratory status into consideration
Summary
As in many European countries, undocumented migrants in Denmark have restricted access to healthcare. It is estimated that there are between 1.9-3.8 million undocumented migrants in the European Union (EU), corresponding to 7-13 percent of the foreign resident population in 2008 [2,3]. Undocumented migrants enter Europe through both legal and illegal channels and typically find employment within the informal economy, where they serve as a low-cost and flexible labour force [1,4,5]. Undocumented migrants in the European Union Undocumented migrants are third-country nationals* without a valid residence permit or visa allowing them to reside in the country of destination and who, if detected, may be liable to deportation. Overstayers: migrants remaining in the country of destination after having had their residence permits revoked or after expiration of their visas. Undocumented migrants by birth: persons born to undocumented migrants and who inherit their parents’ irregular status
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