Migrants’ Healthcare Experience: A Meta‐Ethnography Review of the Literature

Abstract

Purpose Worldwide, more than 214 million people have left their country of origin. This unprecedented mass migration impacts health care in host countries. This article explores and synthesizes literature on the healthcare experiences of migrants. Design A meta‐ethnography study of qualitative studies was conducted. Methods Eight databases (Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, Migration Observatory, National Health Service Scotland Knowledge Network, and Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment [ASSIA]) were searched for relevant full‐text articles in English, published between January 2006 and June 2016. Articles were screened against inclusion criteria for eligibility. Included articles were assessed for quality and analyzed using Noblit and Hare's seven‐step meta‐ethnography process. Findings Twenty‐seven studies were included in the review. Five key contextualization dimensions were identified: personal factors, the healthcare system, accessing healthcare, the encounter, and the healthcare experience. These five areas all underlined the uniqueness of each individual migrant, emphasizing the need to treat a person rather than a population. Within a true person‐centered approach, the individual's cultural background is fundamental to effective care. Conclusions From the findings, a model has been designed using the five dimensions and grounded in a person‐centered care approach. This may help healthcare providers to identify weak points, as well as to improve the organization and healthcare professionals’ ability to provide person‐centered care to migrant patients. Clinical Relevance The proposed model facilitates identification of points of weakness in the care of migrant patients. Employing a person‐centered care approach may contribute to improve health outcomes for migrant patients.

Women, Migrations and Health

“…The migrant population is diverse and each person has individual health needs (Luiking et al, 2018). Indeed, the most recent project conducted by our research group, a meta ethnography study (Luiking et al, 2018) showed that a multitude of factors influence the HCSB decision-making process.…”

“…Indeed, the most recent project conducted by our research group, a meta ethnography study (Luiking et al, 2018) showed that a multitude of factors influence the HCSB decision-making process. Migrants seek care according to their needs and legal status and they often consult trusted individuals within their own community about how to address a health problem before seeking formal help (Luiking et al, 2018). Further considerations are time and financial resources (Herdman et al, 2016;Lattof, 2018).…”

“…Further considerations are time and financial resources (Herdman et al, 2016;Lattof, 2018). The framework derived from our investigation provides a more comprehensive overview on HCSB in migrants (Luiking et al, 2018) and de-scribes the personal and healthcare system-inherent barriers and enablers to accessing and provision in this population. These include personal factors, the healthcare system, accessing healthcare, the encounter and healthcare experiences (see Figure 1 on p. 102).…”

“…Hundred sixteen first and second order constructs were identified across the studies, which were condensed and interpreted into 15 third order constructs. These third order constructs were contextualised into the following dimensions: (1) personal factors; (2) healthcare system; (3) access to healthcare; (4) the encounter; and (5) healthcare experience (Luiking et al, 2018).…”

Asylum seekers’ lived experiences of dignity during health examination: A phenomenological hermeneutical study

“…3 Asylum seekers are in a vulnerable situation due to unpleasant experiences and exposures in their home countries and during migration. 4 , 5 Previous research 3–5 , 7 , 8 reports that the health examination can be a burden for them due to poor communication and information, cultural barriers and misunderstandings, unmet needs and expectations, feelings of ambiguity, mistrust and insecurity and the experience of being more an object than a unique individual. Asylum seekers also reported that their psychological and emotional needs and problems are overlooked during the health examination, 6 , 9 even though these are known to be significant health problems for asylum seekers.…”