Nursing practice and global refugee migration: initial impressions from an Intergovernmental‐Academic Partnership

Abstract

Aim This report from the field describes impressions of the initial impact of bilateral, multi‐sectoral field‐based activities undertaken to strengthen International Organization for Migration/United Nations Migration Agency and US‐based nurses’ capacity to address complex clinical, social and cultural challenges experienced by refugees in resettlement. Authors comment on the defined and thorough health assessment process that refugees go through prior to resettlement, and focus on the essential nursing role in the health assessment process and continuum of care. The development of the interdisciplinary and collaborative partnership is described as well as next steps to move the partnership forward. Background In 2017, International Organization for Migration/United Nations Migration Agency and the University of Minnesota, guided by experts from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, began a unique bilateral Intergovernmental‐Academic partnership to enhance the health care of refugees. A key component was to strengthen nursing care of refugees through the standardization of clinical practice and nursing leadership. Sources of Evidence Listening sessions, direct interaction between International Organization for Migration/United Nations Migration Agency and US‐based refugee resettlement stakeholders, patterns in resettlement. Conclusion and Implications for Nursing and Health Policy The report highlights the potential public health impact of a bilateral and collaborative initiative that develops and bridges key points in the migration and health trajectory of people with refugee status. Separated by geography, context and scope of work, health professionals in different roles in varied worldwide settings with a spectrum of resources may not fully understand the work of each other. Project activities were a platform through which US‐based and internationally based nurses established mutuality, reciprocity and equity as partners. By strengthening systems and resources, the partnership reinforces the abilities of nurses who engage in this important work, to optimize health and wellbeing of people with refugee status.

Implementation of a Curriculum to Optimize Hygiene Behaviors Among Refugees and Migrants Being Resettled

“…Before this project, the IOM did not routinely deliver a standardized hygiene curriculum across all transit center sites. Moreover, as with many health-care facilities in settings with variable resources, there is a wide variance in the scope of practice, and staff come to the organization with diverse practice and educational backgrounds (Bampoh et al, 2020, Mann et al, 2020. The health and hygiene promotion curriculum is intended to support nurses and hygiene promoters (collectively referred to as HPs) and other transit center staff in teaching health and hygiene promotion to applicants during the pre-departure period.…”

“…In 2017 a collaboration between the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the University of Minnesota was formalized. The interagency partnership was built to enhance the training of providers in assessing, screening, and treating US-bound refugees and migrants (referred to as "applicants") to improve population health (Bampoh et al, 2020;Mann et al, 2020). This partnership decentralizes the educational burdens of the IOM and their sites in variable resource settings and allows for collaborative decision-making that facilitates continuous dynamic education based on the self-identified needs of the sites.…”

“…This partnership decentralizes the educational burdens of the IOM and their sites in variable resource settings and allows for collaborative decision-making that facilitates continuous dynamic education based on the self-identified needs of the sites. The University of Minnesota supports this overall goal by building systems, resources, and staff capacity, while focusing on the mutual nature of the projects (Mann et al, 2020).…”

Failure to thrive among asylum‐seeking children: A descriptive study from Turkey

“…According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Afghan refugees constitute the largest refugee population in the world. (Bampoh et al, 2020). A public health nurse should focus on inequalities and the needs of minorities, and evaluate health by developing a comprehensive and systematic approach (American Public Health Association, 2013).…”

“…Accordingly, nurses should improve their knowledge and skills on immigrant health through both clinical and public health studies. It is emphasized that nursing practices combined with academic studies are strong public health initiatives contributing to immigrant health (Bampoh et al., 2020). A public health nurse should focus on inequalities and the needs of minorities, and evaluate health by developing a comprehensive and systematic approach (American Public Health Association, 2013).…”