Pilot action within the framework of the Mig-HealthCare project - implementation of community-based pilot studies addressing health inequalities of migrants and refugees

Abstract

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) appropriateness: the extent to which the piloted interventions were suitable for the target groups (service providers and/or migrants/refugees) (b) effectiveness: the extent to which the pilots' objectives were achieved, or are expected to be achieved, taking into account their relative importance (c) satisfaction: the extent to which pilots meet or surpass target groups and stakeholders (refugee/migrants, service providers and local population) expectation and needs (d) sustainability: the continuation of benefits from the pilot. Sustainability in the pilot implementation context is the ability of key target groups to sustain pilot benefits. Moreover, the impact of the interventions and their results should be sustainable in time. The impact of the pilots on the study population as well as implications for community-level health services are discussed.