[Physicians' attitude towards treating refugee patients].

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Medical Sociology
• Healthcare Management

Context:

• Refugee patients present unique challenges in healthcare due to language barriers and cultural differences.
• Physician perceptions of competence and challenges in treating refugee and asylum seeker populations were investigated.

Purpose:

• To assess primary and secondary healthcare physicians' perceived competence and experiences in treating refugee patients.
• To identify barriers and support needs for healthcare providers working with refugees and asylum seekers.

Summary:

• A survey of Norwegian physicians revealed that most perceive their competence in treating refugees as moderate, with a significant percentage of general practitioners (GPs) reporting low competence.
• Many GPs expressed dissatisfaction with working with refugee patients and reported difficulties accessing expert advice and guidance.
• Physicians frequently encountered challenges with psychiatric referrals and often lacked awareness regarding their patients' trauma history.

Impact:

• Findings highlight insufficient general conditions and inadequate psychiatric support for treating refugees, particularly impacting GPs.
• The study underscores the need for improved training, resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance care for refugee populations.