Harding Catherine, Seal Alexa, Duncan Geraldine, Gilmour Alison
School of Medicine Sydney, Wagga Wagga RCS, The University of Notre Dame Australia, PO Box 5050, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia. Email:.
Kooringal Road Medical Centre, 295 Lake Albert Road, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia. Email.
Aust Health Rev. 2019 Feb;43(1):92-97. doi: 10.1071/AH17093.
Objective Despite the recognition that refugees should have equitable access to healthcare services, this presents considerable challenges, particularly in rural and regional areas. Because general practitioners (GPs) are critical to resettlement for refugees and play a crucial role in understanding their specific health and social issues, it is important to know more about the needs of GPs. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 GPs and GP registrars who trained with a New South Wales regional training provider with the aim of assessing the needs and attitudes of GPs in treating refugees and the perceived effect that refugees have on their practice. Results The interviews, while acknowledging well-recognised issues such as language and culture, also highlighted particular issues for rural and regional areas, such as employment and community support. International medical graduates identified with resettlement problems faced by refugees and are a potential resource for these patients. A need for greater information for GPs regarding services available to help manage refugees in rural and regional areas and greater access to those services was demonstrated. Conclusions Issues such as time, costs, language and culture were recognised as challenges in providing services for refugees. GPs highlighted particular issues for rural and regional areas in addressing refugee health, such as finding jobs, problems with isolation and the effect of lack of anonymity in such communities. These social factors have implications for the health of the refugees, especially psychological health, which is also challenged by poor resources. What is known about the topic? Providing refugees equitable access to healthcare services presents considerable challenges, particularly in rural and regional areas. Time, language and culture are commonly reported barriers in providing services for this population group. What does this paper add? There are particular issues for rural and regional areas in addressing refugee health, including finding jobs, problems with isolation and the effect of lack of anonymity in rural communities. These social factors have implications for the health of refugees, especially psychological health, which is also challenged by a paucity of services. The findings of this study suggest that international medical graduate doctors identified with resettlement problems faced by refugees and may be an important resource for these patients. This study highlights the awareness, empathy and positive attitudes of GPs in regional and rural areas in their approach to treating patients with a refugee background. What are the implications for practitioners? International medical graduates often identify with resettlement problems faced by refugees and are an important resource for these patients. A need for greater information for GPs regarding services available to help manage refugees in rural and regional areas and greater access to those services was demonstrated.
目的 尽管人们认识到难民应能公平获得医疗服务，但这带来了相当大的挑战，尤其是在农村和偏远地区。由于全科医生（GP）对难民重新安置至关重要，且在了解他们的具体健康和社会问题方面发挥着关键作用，因此更多地了解全科医生的需求很重要。方法 对14名全科医生和全科医生注册学员进行了深入访谈，他们接受的是新南威尔士州一家地区培训提供商的培训，目的是评估全科医生在治疗难民方面的需求和态度，以及难民对他们的执业产生的感知影响。结果 访谈在承认语言和文化等公认问题的同时，也突出了农村和偏远地区的特殊问题，如就业和社区支持。国际医学毕业生认同难民面临的重新安置问题，并且是这些患者的潜在资源。研究表明，全科医生需要更多关于农村和偏远地区可用于帮助管理难民的服务的信息，以及更多获得这些服务的途径。结论 时间、成本、语言和文化等问题被认为是为难民提供服务的挑战。全科医生强调了农村和偏远地区在解决难民健康问题方面的特殊问题，如寻找工作、孤立问题以及此类社区缺乏匿名性的影响。这些社会因素对难民的健康有影响，尤其是心理健康，而资源匮乏也对其构成挑战。关于该主题已知的内容是什么？为难民提供公平的医疗服务面临相当大的挑战，尤其是在农村和偏远地区。时间、语言和文化通常被报告为为这一人群提供服务的障碍。本文补充了什么内容？农村和偏远地区在解决难民健康问题方面存在特殊问题，包括寻找工作、孤立问题以及农村社区缺乏匿名性的影响。这些社会因素对难民的健康有影响，尤其是心理健康，而服务匮乏也对其构成挑战。本研究的结果表明，国际医学毕业医生认同难民面临的重新安置问题，可能是这些患者的重要资源。本研究强调了农村和偏远地区的全科医生在治疗有难民背景的患者时的意识、同理心和积极态度。对从业者有何影响？国际医学毕业生通常认同难民面临的重新安置问题，是这些患者的重要资源。研究表明，全科医生需要更多关于农村和偏远地区可用于帮助管理难民的服务的信息，以及更多获得这些服务的途径。
