Health and Care Needs of Migrants and the Greek Health System

Abstract

Introduction: Immigrants are a heterogeneous group with different migration reasons and different cultural backgrounds, but also age, gender, personalities, who, depending on the country of settlement and its infrastructure, may experience varying degrees of problems and adverse situations that may affect their physical and mental health. Aim: To describe the framework for providing care to migrants in Greece and to explore the specific characteristics of the health needs of certain cultural groups. Material and Method: Systematic, critical review of the international (Cinahl, ELIN, & PubMed) and Greek (IATROTEK) literature (2000–2017) was undertaken, aiming at critically synthesizing a thorough and detailed presentation of the challenges regarding the unsatisfied needs of migrants in modern Greek nursing reality. Results: The health and care needs of migrants are summarized in the need to address diseases related to poor living conditions, mental, reproductive and sexual health, and the birth of undocumented children. Various reasons prevent them from accessing health services such as the lack of information on their rights, fear of expulsion, the lack of ability to communicate with staff in services, the lack of legal rights and the financial cost of treatment. In order to reform health services, and to create services that are friendly to migrant populations, services need to be : visible (services must be known so that immigrants know their rights), physical (services easily accessible by public transport), procedural (services providing the opportunity for official translation of procedures), financial (insurance cover possible), psychological (services that help create a climate of trust) and cultural (services’ staff accepting different values, ideas, behaviors and patient norms). Conclusions: In order to meet the health needs of migrants, information structures are needed primarily for their rights to access health services, and for the possible preparation of directives and treatment schemes. In addition to necessary changes in the legal framework as a subsidiary role, immigrant communities, which must have the continued support of the state, can play a key role.