Access to healthcare and alternative health-seeking strategies among undocumented migrants in Denmark

Dan Biswas · Maria Kristiansen · Allan Krasnik · Marie Louise Nørredam

124 citations0/0 files storedBMC Public Health

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Migration, Racism, and Human Rights Migration, Health and Trauma Migration, Identity, and Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As in many European countries, undocumented migrants in Denmark have restricted access to healthcare. The aim of this study is to describe and analyse undocumented migrants' experiences of access to healthcare, use of alternative health-seeking strategies; and ER nurses' experiences in encounters with undocumented migrants. METHODS: Qualitative design using semi-structured interviews and observations. The participants included ten undocumented South Asian migrants and eight ER nurses. RESULTS: Undocumented migrants reported difficulties accessing healthcare. The barriers to healthcare were: limited medical rights, arbitrariness in healthcare professionals' attitudes, fear of being reported to the police, poor language skills, lack of network with Danish citizens, lack of knowledge about the healthcare system and lack of knowledge about informal networks of healthcare professionals. These barriers induced alternative health-seeking strategies, such as self-medication, contacting doctors in home countries and borrowing health insurance cards from Danish citizens. ER nurses expressed willingness to treat all patients regardless of their migratory status, but also reported challenges in the encounters with undocumented migrants. The challenges for ER nurses were: language barriers, issues of false identification, insecurities about the correct standard procedures and not always being able to provide appropriate care. CONCLUSIONS: Undocumented migrants face formal and informal barriers to the Danish healthcare system, which lead to alternative health-seeking strategies that may have adverse effects on their health. This study shows the need for policies and guidelines, which in accordance with international human rights law, ensure access to healthcare for undocumented migrants and give clarity to healthcare professionals.

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References

2001Qualitative research: standards, challenges, and guidelines 1982Constitution of the World Health Organization 2004Access to health care for illegal immigrants in the EU: should we be concerned?2014International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

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2015Challenges in the provision of healthcare services for migrants: a systematic review through providers’ lens 2013Health and access to care for undocumented migrants living in the European Union: a scoping review 2018A systematic review on the use of healthcare services by undocumented migrants in Europe 2016Exploring levers and barriers to accessing primary care for marginalised groups and identifying their priorities for primary care provision: a participatory learning and action research study 2011Providing medical care for undocumented migrants in Denmark: what are the challenges for health professionals?2016Pathogenic Policy: Immigrant Policing, Fear, and Parallel Medical Systems in the US South 2016Are undocumented migrants’ entitlements and barriers to healthcare a public health challenge for the European Union?2012Mental health care for irregular migrants in Europe: Barriers and how they are overcome

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