Niall O'Reilly, Emmet Smithwick, Eoin Murphy, Aisling A Jennings
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The war in Ukraine has led to an influx of Ukrainian refugees across Europe. Internationally, there is limited research into refugees' experiences of accessing Primary Care. Furthermore, few studies have explored the experience of one homogenous refugee group. No study has explored the specific experience of Ukrainian refugees. To improve the care provided to this marginalized group it is important to understand the challenges they experience. The aim of this research is to identify the barriers Ukrainian refugees experience when accessing General Practice in Ireland.
Methods: A 63-item questionnaire was distributed via Ukraine Action Ireland, a registered charitable organization, to Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. Qualitive comments were collected through free-text responses and were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: A total of 368 questionnaires were completed. About 75.4% of respondents reported that they were not asked about their mental health during consultations with their GP. About 25% of respondents could not attend GP due to transport difficulties. About 55% of respondents reported that a translator was needed but only one-third of respondents reported that one was offered. Self-reported health was relatively poor when compared with refugees in other countries and with Irish citizens. Three themes were developed; disparity in patient autonomy, perceived disregard for the refugee experience, and challenges in health care access.
Conclusion: At a time of significant capacity challenges in General Practice it is paramount that resources are provided at a national level to address the challenges Ukrainian refuges currently experience.
期刊介绍:
Family Practice is an international journal aimed at practitioners, teachers, and researchers in the fields of family medicine, general practice, and primary care in both developed and developing countries.
Family Practice offers its readership an international view of the problems and preoccupations in the field, while providing a medium of instruction and exploration.
The journal''s range and content covers such areas as health care delivery, epidemiology, public health, and clinical case studies. The journal aims to be interdisciplinary and contributions from other disciplines of medicine and social science are always welcomed.