Language barriers between nurses and asylum seekers: their impact on symptom reporting and referral

Bischoff, Alexander; Bovier, Patrick A.; Rrustemi, Isah; Françoise, Gariazzo; Eytan, Ariel; Loutan, L

doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00376-3

Cited by 198 publications

(165 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Other barriers include language problems (Bischoff et al, 2003), physical distance to mental health care services since refugees are often located in rural areas, and an overall lack of Arabic speaking psychologists or psychotherapists in European countries hosting Syrian refugees. In the Netherlands and Germany, waitlists for specialized mental health care for refugees of six months on average have been reported as a result of the recent increase in refugees (personal communication; i-Psy 2017; BAfF, 2016).…”

Section: Barriers To Mental Health Care For Refugeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening mental health care systems for Syrian refugees in Europe and the Middle East: integrating scalable psychological interventions in eight countries

Sijbrandij¹,

Acartürk

Bird³

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

196

192

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The crisis in Syria has resulted in vast numbers of refugees seeking asylum in Syria’s neighbouring countries as well as in Europe. Refugees are at considerable risk of developing common mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most refugees do not have access to mental health services for these problems because of multiple barriers in national and refugee specific health systems, including limited availability of mental health professionals. To counter some of challenges arising from limited mental health system capacity the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a range of scalable psychological interventions aimed at reducing psychological distress and improving functioning in people living in communities affected by adversity. These interventions, including Problem Management Plus (PM+) and its variants, are intended to be delivered through individual or group face-to-face or smartphone formats by lay, non-professional people who have not received specialized mental health training,We provide an evidence-based rationale for the use of the scalable PM+ oriented programmes being adapted for Syrian refugees and provide information on the newly launched STRENGTHS programme for adapting, testing and scaling up of PM+ in various modalities in both neighbouring and European countries hosting Syrian refugees.

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Section: Barriers To Mental Health Care For Refugeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening mental health care systems for Syrian refugees in Europe and the Middle East: integrating scalable psychological interventions in eight countries

Sijbrandij¹,

Acartürk

Bird³

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

196

192

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Compared with other population groups using the same outcome measures, perception of poor general health status was much worse among asylum seekers (around 60% 32,42 ) than comparative refugee samples (around 42% 32,42 ), immigrants (39% 32 ) or a general, non-immigrant population (18% 32 ).…”

Section: Physical Health Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…26,28,[32][33][34]36,37,[42][43][44][45] These findings suggest that older age is associated with an increased risk of all ICD diagnostic categories (excluding reproductive health issues), 28 poorer selfreported general health status, 32 functional disability, 37 chronic conditions 32,37 and a higher medical referral rate. 26 Female gender was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting chronic conditions 32,37 and physical symptoms 26 but not with any specific ICD diagnoses. 28 Ethnicity was another sociodemographic characteristic affecting health outcomes; however, due to heterogeneity of sample characteristics, it was too methodologically complex to draw comparison between different ethnic groups or source countries.…”

Section: Sociodemographic Determinants Of Physical Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…28 Ethnicity was another sociodemographic characteristic affecting health outcomes; however, due to heterogeneity of sample characteristics, it was too methodologically complex to draw comparison between different ethnic groups or source countries. 26,28,32,34 One study found that participants from countries experiencing violent conflict had higher frequencies of several ICD diagnoses as well as requiring a greater number of consultations and higher healthcare costs. 45 Compared with those who had arrived within the previous 6 months, asylum seekers with a longer length of stay had a higher level of disability, greater physical complaints, perceived lower physical health status and lower quality of life.…”

Section: Sociodemographic Determinants Of Physical Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The physical health status, service utilisation and barriers to accessing care for asylum seekers residing in the community: a systematic review of the literature

Hadgkiss

Renzaho

2014

Aust. Health Review

133

117

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Objective. To document physical health problems that asylum seekers experience on settlement in the community and to assess their utilisation of healthcare services and barriers to care, in an international context. Methods.A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies was undertaken according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL databases were searched from 2002 to October 2012, focusing on adult asylum seekers residing in the community in high-income countries.Results. The search yielded 1499 articles, of which 32 studies met the inclusion criteria -23 quantitative and nine qualitative. Asylum seekers had complex health profiles spanning a range of infectious diseases, chronic non-communicable conditions, and reproductive-health issues. They appeared to utilise health services at a higher rate than the host population, yet faced significant barriers to care.Conclusion. The findings of this study highlight the health inequities faced by asylum seekers residing in the communities of host countries, internationally. National data on asylum seekers' health profiles, service utilisation and barriers to care, as well as cross-country policy comparisons, are urgently required for the development of effective Australian health programs and evidence-based policy. What is known about the topic?The clinical and political focus of asylum seekers' health has largely been on the higher incidence of mental disorders and the impact of immigration detention. Since policy changes made in late 2011, an increasing number of asylum seekers have been permitted to live in the community while their claims are processed. There is a paucity of research exploring the physical health needs of asylum seekers residing in the community. What does this paper add? The international literature highlights the complexity of asylum seekers' health profiles. Although they appear to utilise health services at a higher rate than the host population, they continue to face many barriers to care. What are the implications for practitioners? Studies that explore policy options, including cross-country comparisons of health policy and guidelines that improve health outcomes, to foster equity of access and reduce health inequalities between asylum seekers and the host population are urgently required.

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“…Nevertheless, some clinicians are confident in assessments conducted with such interpreters (40). Compromised disclosure with ad hoc interpreters may yield fewer referrals for follow-up care (36, 37), potentially impacting treatment and health outcomes. Professional interpreters, however, may facilitate improved disclosure (36, 37).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Patient Language Proficiency and Interpreter Service Use on the Quality of Psychiatric Care: A Systematic Review

Bauer¹,

Alegrı́a²

2010

Psychiatric Services

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Objective To determine the effects of limited English proficiency and use of interpreters on the quality of psychiatric care. Methods A systematic literature search for English-language publications was conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, and CINAHL and by review of the reference lists of included articles and expert sources. Of 321 citations, 26 peer-reviewed articles met inclusion criteria by reporting primary data on the clinical care for psychiatric disorders among patients with limited proficiency in English or in the providers’ language. Results Little systematic research has addressed the impact of language proficiency or interpreter use on the quality of psychiatric care in contemporary US settings. Therefore, the literature to date is insufficient to inform evidence-based guidelines for improving quality of care among patients with limited English proficiency. Nonetheless, evaluation in a patient’s non-primary language can lead to incomplete or distorted mental status assessment whereas assessments conducted via untrained interpreters may contain interpreting errors. Consequences of interpreter errors include clinicians’ failure to identify disordered thought or delusional content. Use of professional interpreters may improve disclosure and attenuate some difficulties. Diagnostic agreement, collaborative treatment planning, and referral for specialty care may be compromised. Conclusions Clinicians should become aware of the types of quality problems that may occur when evaluating patients in a non-primary language or via an interpreter. Given demographic trends in the US, future research should aim to address the deficit in the evidence base to guide clinical practice and policy.

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Language barriers between nurses and asylum seekers: their impact on symptom reporting and referral

Cited by 198 publications

References 27 publications

Strengthening mental health care systems for Syrian refugees in Europe and the Middle East: integrating scalable psychological interventions in eight countries

Strengthening mental health care systems for Syrian refugees in Europe and the Middle East: integrating scalable psychological interventions in eight countries

The physical health status, service utilisation and barriers to accessing care for asylum seekers residing in the community: a systematic review of the literature

Impact of Patient Language Proficiency and Interpreter Service Use on the Quality of Psychiatric Care: A Systematic Review

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