Inter‐professional Learning to Prepare Medical and Social Work Students for Practice with Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Abstract

Social workers and medical practitioners, particularly those in general practice, provide services for individuals who experience social exclusion. Access to medical, health and social care services has been identified as problematic for refugees and asylum seekers, reflecting their marginalised status within society. It is widely accepted that multi-agency responses and working together are key requirements in improving access to services and promoting social inclusion; however, achieving this across professional and agency boundaries often remains challenging. Joint planning and training have been suggested as being important in improving communication, leading to more flexible and creative services. This paper describes the genesis and implementation of a series of innovative interprofessional workshops for medical and social work students, focussing specifically on marginalised groups. Learning and teaching input was developed by, and came from, service users and qualified medical, health and social work practitioners. The paper focuses particularly on the sessions relating to refugees and asylum seekers. The content and structure of the sessions are discussed and students' responses are reported. The implications for future inter-professional learning and practice in relation to socially excluded groups are highlighted.

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“…For instance, studies show that professionals lack many skills when working with refugees. Of those missing skills, the most reported include: social inclusion, interpersonal skills, cultural competency, intervention design, language acquisition, adequate knowledge about the refugee experience, as well as knowledge about global health and its related initiatives (Hill et al 2009, Cheng et al 2015, Lipson 1991, Drain et al 2007). These trends appear in work with many other cultural populations as well as refugees.…”

Multicultural Health Diplomacy: A Proposed Culturally Competent Diplomacy Model for Health Professionals

“…For instance, studies show that professionals lack many skills when working with refugees. Of those missing skills, the most reported include: social inclusion, interpersonal skills, cultural competency, intervention design, language acquisition, adequate knowledge about the refugee experience, as well as knowledge about global health and its related initiatives (Hill et al 2009, Cheng et al 2015, Lipson 1991, Drain et al 2007. These trends appear in work with many other cultural populations as well as refugees.…”

Santé psychologique des demandeurs d’asile dans un contexte politique défavorable : perspectives d’intervenants sociaux sur les réformes du système de protection des réfugiés1

“…Au niveau des services psychosociaux, le développement de connaissances propres aux enjeux spécifiques reliés aux demandeurs d'asile et aux réfugiés pourrait permettre un accompagnement adapté à leurs besoins et empreint de sensibilité culturelle. De plus, la sensibilisation des intervenants peut se traduire par des mobilisations pour atteindre le niveau politique et la population, renforçant l'action anti-oppressive essentielle aux secteurs de la santé et des services sociaux et dont l'insuffisance a largement été critiquée (Cemlyn et Briskman, 2003 ;Hill et al, 2009). En outre, les propos des participants de l'étude révèlent une nécessité de contrer les préjugés et la perception défavorable des demandeurs d'asile dans la population.…”