Partnering With Caregivers and Clinicians to Determine Research Priorities in Pediatric Migrant Health

Pediatric migrant health has been identified by the World Health Organization as a critical area for interdisciplinary research to improve care for children and adolescents with migration experience. Nevertheless, research agendas have rarely been shaped systematically by individuals with lived and professional experience, limiting relevance and impact.

To identify and prioritize the most important unanswered research questions in pediatric migrant health in Europe through a structured, participatory priority-setting process.

This multiphase survey study (April 2024 to June 2025), led by migrants and clinicians using the James Lind Alliance participatory priority-setting methodology, comprised 2 online consultations informed by Delphi procedures and a final in-person consensus workshop using a modified nominal group technique. Participants residing in multiple European countries included migrant caregivers, former migrant children and adolescents, health care workers in pediatric migrant health, and double experts with combined lived and professional experience. They were recruited via professional networks, community organizations, and open calls. The final in-person consensus workshop convened in Basel, Switzerland, in June 2025.

The primary outcome was a ranked list of the top 10 unanswered research priorities in pediatric migrant health based on participant-generated questions and consensus methods.

In consultation 1, 256 participants (156 [61.0%] with lived migration experience; 25 countries of residence, 41 countries of origin; 115 aged <35 years [44.9%], 138 aged ≥35 years [53.9%]; 158 female [61.7%]) submitted 1589 questions and comments, which were consolidated into 53 unanswered summary questions after qualitative content analysis and evidence checking. In consultation 2, rankings from 576 participants (214 [37.2%] with lived migration experience; 31 countries of residence, 50 countries of origin; 193 aged ≤35 years [33.5%], 364 aged ≥35 years [63.2%]; 412 female [71.5%]) yielded a short list of 25 questions. During the final consensus workshop, participants selected the top 10 research priorities. The 3 highest ranked priorities focused on universal access to health care, the health impact of racism and discrimination, and barriers to accessing care. Remaining priorities addressed health effects of migration, social determinants of health, needs of at-risk groups (including unaccompanied or undocumented minors and children with medical complexities), professional language support, training of health care workers, and family involvement in care.

The research priorities identified in this survey study could provide a roadmap for future multidisciplinary and participatory research to improve health equity for pediatric migrants in Europe.