Health service use and costs among migrants in an irregular situation: Cross-sectional register-based study from a voluntary-based clinic.
J Public Health (Oxf)
; 45(1): 32-35, 2023 03 14.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34719721
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
As few data based on actual demand for healthcare services in vulnerable migrant populations exist, we studied service use and healthcare costs in a cohort of migrants in an irregular situation.METHODS:
In this single-centre retrospective register study, we examined the reasons for encounter, diagnoses, service use and costs of healthcare among patients at a voluntary clinic for migrants in an irregular situation in Helsinki, Finland. ICPC-2 classification and national unit costs for primary healthcare were used for the cost estimation.RESULTS:
A total of 546 patient visits accounted for 620 ICPC-2 coded reasons for encounter, diagnoses and process codes. The most common health problems were teeth/gum disease (10%), acute upper respiratory infection (5%) and oesophageal disease (3%). Visits seldom led to complementary investigations (2%), follow-up visits (5%) or referrals (11%). The total cost of treatment, excluding dental health costs, was 71 euros per visit.CONCLUSIONS:
Migrants in an irregular situation present with a variety of health concerns, the majority of which can be treated in a basic primary healthcare facility at a relatively low cost. This encourages research to evaluate the health and cost effects of extending public healthcare for migrants in an irregular situation beyond emergency care.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Transients and Migrants
Type of study:
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prevalence_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Public Health (Oxf)
Year:
2023
Type:
Article