Use of Cross-Border Healthcare Services by Elderly Turkish Migrants in Denmark: A Qualitative Study and Some Critical Reflections about Public Health ‘Concerns’

Abstract

Cross-border healthcare use among elderly Turkish migrants living in Denmark has been of concern in regards to their compliance with Danish healthcare provisions. A qualitative study of 30 elderly Turkish migrants was conducted, and the analysis led to the construction of two types of users: acute and intentional. The acute users respected the authority of the Danish healthcare system and only sought the use of healthcare services in acute situations whilst in Turkey. In contrast, the intentional users planned to consult and buy healthcare services whilst in Turkey. It was concluded that national health authorities should acknowledge and appreciate the benefits of transnational health practices represented by those groups of migrants who, in cooperation with their doctors, are competent users of cross-border healthcare services. The results of this study call attention to scholars of health and migration to be aware of our own ‘concerns’, which may represent spots of blindness hindering important and surprising insights.