Migrants' Experiences of Public Hospitals in Greece

• Published in: International journal of caring sciences Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 1702 - 1713
• Main Authors: Galanis, Petros, Bellali, Thalia, Siskou, Olga, Konstantakopoulou, Olympia, Xafini, Katerina, Spyros, Koureas, Angelopoulos, Georgios, Kaitelidou, Daphne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nicosia Professor Despina Sapountzi - Krepia Publisher of the International Journal of Caring Sciences 01.09.2022
• Subjects: Age; Chronic illnesses; Communication; Cross-sectional studies; Economic crisis; Health care policy; Health disparities; Health insurance; Health services; Hospitals; Host country; Human rights; Length of stay; Living conditions; Low income groups; Medical personnel; Migrants; Nursing; Public health; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Regression analysis; Response rates; Social justice; Sociodemographics; Statistical analysis; Greece; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics > USSR; Albania
• ISSN: 1791-5201; 1792-037X

Introduction: Health inequalities are a long-standing and complex issue with fundamental human rights and the principles of social justice, equality and solidarity being directly related to issues of social inclusion and public health. A particular aspect of health inequalities has emerged, which mainly relates to the barriers and difficulties encountered by migrants in accessing health services. Aim: To assess the experiences of migrants in Greek public hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted during April-June 2022. Data were collected from migrants that have visited the outpatients clinics in three hospitals in Attica. We distributed 2100 questionnaires and 770 were returned in a complete form (response rate = 36.7%). A valid instrument was used to measure the experiences of migrants regarding their visit in public hospitals. Results: The sample consisted of 770 migrants with a mean age of 40.6 years. The level of continuity and comprehensiveness of healthcare was high. Also, medical and nursing staff quality was high. Level of facilities of health services and access to health services was moderate. Multivariable analysis identified that several socio-demographic characteristics of migrants influence their experiences of using health services in Greece. In particular, we found that the experiences were better for migrants: from Albania and countries of the former Soviet Union, with a longer length of stay in Greece, with health insurance, with a better financial situation, with better ability to communicate with health professionals, with a higher level of education, with a chronic disease, older age and females. Conclusions: Better access to health services for migrants will enable them to improve their quality of life and achieve better health outcomes. In this way, the living conditions of migrants will be improved and their better integration in Greece will be achieved.