Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Jenny Kluznik

Abstract

Globalization presents massive challenges for healthcare providers and the blend of language, expectation and cost creates increased risk for all patients. Refugees are among the most vulnerable of populations when overall health outcomes are measured and access to healthcare is analyzed.1 This is due to rapid modernization of health care systems and the fact that refugees are typically leaving a volatile place of origin and migrating to a wealthier, more stable country where different modalities are used to access care. Women of childbearing age comprise a huge portion of refugees and will be the population of focus examined here.

A refugee is a person who is fleeing their country of origin due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted.2 Once their asylum claim is accepted in a host country, refugees have legal rights and access to healthcare. However, worse maternal outcomes are consistently reported in refugees that have been resettled in high income countries when compared to non-immigrant groups.3 Many times, these outcomes are due to miscommunication or failure to understand expectations either on the part of the patient or the provider.

Research is currently being done to develop a best practice model of care that can facilitate communication and increase satisfaction of refugee patients and their providers in the urban, high income communities settings where refugees have been resettled.

Identifier

SC 11.PAS.2019.Erickson.H

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