Abstract
Background: Migration in Europe is increasing at an unprecedented rate. There is an urgent need to develop ‘migrant-sensitive healthcare systems’. However, there are many barriers to healthcare for migrants. Despite Greece’s recent, significant experiences of inward migration during a period of economic austerity, little is known about Greek primary care service providers’ experiences of delivering care to migrants.Objectives: To identify service providers’ views on the barriers to migrant healthcare.Methods: Qualitative study involving six participatory learning and action (PLA) focus group sessions with nine service providers. Data generation was informed by normalization process theory (NPT). Thematic analysis was applied to identify barriers to efficient migrant healthcare.Results: Three main provider and system-related barriers emerged: (a) emphasis on major challenges in healthcare provision, (b) low perceived control and effectiveness to support migrant healthcare, and (c) attention to impoverished local population.Conclusion: The study identified major provider and system-related barriers in the provision of primary healthcare to migrants. It is important for the healthcare system in Greece to provide appropriate supports for communication in cross-cultural consultations for its diversifying population.
Highlights
Equity in access to health services has been a fundamental objective for many European health systems, including Greece [1,2]
This paper focuses on the question ‘what are Greek primary care providers’ perspectives on barriers to healthcare for migrants?’
RESTORE is a qualitative case study based on a unique combination of qualitative methodology—participatory learning and action (PLA) and contemporary social theory—normalization process theory (NPT) [16]
Summary
Equity in access to health services has been a fundamental objective for many European health systems, including Greece [1,2]. As part of this objective, the need to develop ‘migrant-sensitive healthcare systems’ has been raised as a key issue by global organizations [3,4]. Conclusion: The study identified major provider and system-related barriers in the provision of primary healthcare to migrants. It is important for the healthcare system in Greece to provide appropriate supports for communication in cross-cultural consultations for its diversifying population
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