Impact of Health Services on International Migrants in London
Author Information
Author(s): Hargreaves Sally, Friedland Jon S, Gothard Philip, Saxena Sonia, Millington Hugh, Eliahoo Joseph, Le Feuvre Peter, Holmes Alison
Primary Institution: Imperial College London
Hypothesis
How do international migrants use health services compared to UK-born patients?
Conclusion
International migrants, particularly those from refugee-generating countries, are a diverse group that may require improved access to community-based healthcare services.
Supporting Evidence
- 44.7% of patients surveyed were overseas born, significantly higher than local estimates.
- New migrants (≤10 years) made up 73.9% of overseas-born patients.
- Only 32% of Australians, New Zealanders, and South Africans were registered with GPs.
Takeaway
This study shows that many international migrants in London go to the hospital for help, and some don't have a family doctor, which can make it harder for them to get the care they need.
Methodology
An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted at an A&E/Walk-In Centre over one month, collecting data on nationality, immigration status, and GP service use.
Potential Biases
The absence of interpreters may have excluded some patients who did not speak English.
Limitations
The study did not collect data on migrants presenting via ambulance, which may have biased results towards more affluent groups.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 720 overseas-born patients from 87 nationalities, with a significant portion being new migrants to the UK.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Confidence Interval
[95% CI 0.087–0.136]
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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