A systematic review on the use of healthcare services by undocumented migrants in Europe

Marjolein Winters*, Bernd Rechel, Lea de Jong, Milena Pavlova

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Background: Undocumented migrants face particular challenges in accessing healthcare services in many European countries. The aim of this study was to systematically review the academic literature on the utilization of healthcare services by undocumented migrants in Europe. Methods: The databases Embase, Medline, Global Health and Cinahl Plus were searched systematically to identify quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies published in 2007-2017. Results: A total of 908 articles were retrieved. Deletion of duplicates left 531. After screening titles, abstracts and full texts according to pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 articles were included in the review. Overall, quantitative studies showed an underutilization of different types of healthcare services by undocumented migrants. Qualitative studies reported that, even when care was received, it was often inadequate or insufficient, and that many undocumented migrants were unfamiliar with their entitlements and faced barriers in utilizing healthcare services. Conclusions: Although it is difficult to generalize findings from the included studies due to methodological differences, they provide further evidence that undocumented migrants in Europe face particular problems in utilizing healthcare services.
Original languageEnglish
Article number30
Number of pages10
JournalBMC Health Services Research
Volume18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Utilization
  • Healthcare services
  • Undocumented migrants
  • Europe
  • Systematic review
  • IRREGULAR IMMIGRANTS
  • RISK-FACTOR
  • ACCESS
  • NETHERLANDS
  • PROVISION
  • PREGNANCY
  • PORTUGAL
  • RIGHTS
  • SPAIN
  • WOMEN
  • Humans
  • Health Services Research
  • Europe/epidemiology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Services/statistics & numerical data
  • Utilization Review
  • Qualitative Research
  • Undocumented Immigrants/statistics & numerical data

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