Abstract

SILVA, Daniela Abreu; MACEDO, Francisco  and  QUINTAL, Dolores. Medicine without borders: challenges of the immigrant population. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2022, vol.38, n.3, pp.315-321.  Epub June 30, 2022. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v38i3.13198.

Migration is a phenomenon that is globally growing and in Portugal also. During the migration process, people overcome various transitions that can trigger off unbalance and enhance health problems. Immigrants are at particular risk of suffering disparities in healthcare accessibility and medical treatment opportunities because of multiple factors. The growing migrant population demands are a challenge for healthcare systems. This is a heterogeneous group with distinct characteristics, therefore cultural competences are essential for the clinical practice of family physicians that increasingly face a more culturally diverse population. In this paper, we intend to focus on immigrant population particularities, comprehend the biggest challenges in their approach, and review strategies that improve their accessibility and healthcare, based on patient-centered medicine.

Keywords : Emigration and immigration; Healthcare disparities.

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