health needs by immigrants & refugees

[gk2217]

Writing a term paper that looks into health needs requires by immigrants and refugees entering to new country. What can you guys suggest? I have couple things in mind just want to get extra opinion.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

What things do you have in mind? We'd like to hear your ideas first.

[gk2217]

immunizations come to mind, proper guidance to services, also thinking of mental health status and follow up.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

As an immigrant, I can give you a few tips:

- orientation in the system. Once one steps off the plane, there is no guidance, and medical system in the USA is VERY different from anything else anywhere in the world.

- orientation in the big, murky ocean of US medical insurance business... not saying that many Americans have clear idea what it is all about, but immigrants have even less than that.

- primary care needs for established diagnoses. This is a real biggie, especially if you don't get enough meds you take daily with you to last a few months till you just start to figure things out

- organizing daily life for those you need accomodations. Another REAL biggie. Recently in Flint, MI a few thousands of Latino families couldn't get clear info what water to use (bottled) and where to get it for free for months after the fact of lead contamination of public water supply became known because there were tons of info on every corner... all of that strictly in English, which they couldn't read.

- vaccinations are NOT usually an issue except for "direct escapees" (that is, ones who seek asylim after coming in the USA under non-immigration status like short-term guest visa) or illegal immigrants. Everybody else has to have proof of the whole list appropriate for the age (except flu) plus TB screen for getting entrance visas. For illegals, screening is a big problem, first and foremost for TB. Vaccinations come close second, DT/DTaP being especially important (way too many of them work in high-risk areas for traumas)

- women's health (especially contraception and STDs/HIV screening and prophylaxis)

- children primary care and vaccinations

And, as a cherry on the top, all that better be taught on the language the patient understands, which may or may not be English. Plus, it is highly preferable for the teaching be done by a person at least basically familiar with health care system of the immigrant's origin so that comparisons and contrasts can be ascertained.

Overall, getting into "foreign" medical health system is one of the most life-sucking and threatening part of immigration, although most people do not recognize it till they face a medical emergency of a sort. I went through it twice for now, and will literally prefer to die silently somewhere than to do it all over again.

[Fiona59]

My country has taken in 25000 refugees this year. Their sponsors and government agencies have been very thorough in getting the newcomers into the system.

The biggest problem so far is having male refugees accept care from female specialists.

Church groups and other social agencies usually attend appointments and bring translators along.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to nursing student assistance