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A Qualitative Research Study Which Explores Humanitarian Stakeholders’ Views on Healthcare Access for Refugees in Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Liz Joseph

    (Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK)

  • Sharif A. Ismail

    (Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK
    Faculty of Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK)

  • Meghan Gunst

    (Department of Paediatrics, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia)

  • Kate Jarman

    (Independent Consultant in the International Health Sector, London, UK)

  • Dina Prior

    (Independent Consultant in the International Health Sector, London, UK)

  • Matthew Harris

    (Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK)

  • Aula Abbara

    (Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK)

Abstract

Introduction: As of January 2020, 115,600 refugees remain in Greece; most are Afghani, Iraqi or Syrian nationals. This qualitative research study explores the views of key stakeholders providing healthcare for refugees in Greece between 2015 and 2018. The focus was on identifying key barriers and facilitators to healthcare access for refugees in Greece. Methods: 16 interviewees from humanitarian and international organisations operating in Greece were identified through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and April 2018. Data were analysed using the Framework Method. Results: Key themes affecting healthcare access included the influence of socio-cultural factors (healthcare expectations, language, gender) and the ability of the Greek health system to respond to existing and evolving demands; these included Greece’s ongoing economic crisis, human resource shortages, weak primary healthcare system, legal barriers and logistics. The evolution of the humanitarian response from emergency to sustained changes to EU funding, coordination and comprehensiveness of services affected healthcare access for refugees. Conclusion: The most noted barriers cited by humanitarian stakeholders to healthcare access for refugees in Greece were socio-cultural and language differences between refugees and healthcare providers and poor coordination among stakeholders. Policies and interventions which address these could improve healthcare access for refugees in Greece with coordination led by the EU.

Suggested Citation

  • Liz Joseph & Sharif A. Ismail & Meghan Gunst & Kate Jarman & Dina Prior & Matthew Harris & Aula Abbara, 2020. "A Qualitative Research Study Which Explores Humanitarian Stakeholders’ Views on Healthcare Access for Refugees in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:6972-:d:418196
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gunst, M. & Jarman, K. & Yarwood, V. & Rokadiya, S. & Capsaskis, L. & Orcutt, M. & Abbara, A., 2019. "Healthcare access for refugees in Greece: Challenges and opportunities," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(9), pages 818-824.
    2. Ourania S. Kotsiou & Vaios S. Kotsios & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, 2020. "Enhanced Public Interest in Response to the Refugee and Healthcare Crises in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-6, March.
    3. Ourania S. Kotsiou & David S. Srivastava & Panagiotis Kotsios & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, 2018. "The Emergency Medical System in Greece: Opening Aeolus’ Bag of Winds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Ourania S. Kotsiou & Panagiotis Kotsios & David S. Srivastava & Vaios Kotsios & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos, 2018. "Impact of the Refugee Crisis on the Greek Healthcare System: A Long Road to Ithaca," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ourania S. Kotsiou & Panagiotis Kotsios & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis & Vaios Kotsios, 2020. "Fighting with the Lernean Hydra: Greek Humanitarian Crisis Enters Worst-Case Scenario. Comment on: Joseph, L.; Ismail, S.A.; Gunst, M.; Jarman, K.; Prior, D.; Harris, M.; Abbara, A. A Qualitative Rese," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-3, November.

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