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“Your problem is still your problem”: Gatekeeping, perceived exclusion, and Ukrainian refugees’ (dis)engagement with Danish general practice

Author

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  • Martí-Castañer, Maria
  • Vereshchakina, Viktoriia
  • Spalletta, Olivia
  • Nørredam, Marie

Abstract

In many European health systems, general practitioners (GPs) serve as the first point of contact and as gatekeepers to specialist services. While gatekeeping is often framed as promoting equity, less is known about how such systems are experienced by newly arrived refugees who enter with expectations shaped by different healthcare fields. This study investigates Ukrainian refugees' experiences of (dis)engagement in encounters with primary care services in the Greater Copenhagen area and how they responded to these encounters. Data were generated through one participatory workshop and 15 semi-structured interviews with adult Ukrainian refugees living in Denmark (June–October 2023). Analysis followed reflexive thematic analysis and was informed by Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and field, and relational care.

Suggested Citation

  • Martí-Castañer, Maria & Vereshchakina, Viktoriia & Spalletta, Olivia & Nørredam, Marie, 2026. "“Your problem is still your problem”: Gatekeeping, perceived exclusion, and Ukrainian refugees’ (dis)engagement with Danish general practice," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 399(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:399:y:2026:i:c:s0277953626002820
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119206
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