BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS IN NURSING TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE BARRIERS AFFECTING REFUGEE POPULATIONS

Abstract

Refugee health in the southwest United States is a significantly understudied subject (Morris, Popper, Rodwell, Brodine, & Brouwer, 2009). Limited information is known about the health needs of the diverse refugee groups residing in the region beyond the initial health assessments conducted upon entering the country for resettlement. This paper will focus on healthcare accessibility in the United States for individuals under refugee statuswith access to government aid and temporary healthcare coverage through the Office of Refugee Resettlement. This paper explores the most current research identifying healthcare barriers among refugee populations throughout the United States in an effort to formulate best practice recommendations to address the Central American refugee population residing in Tucson, Arizona. Analysis revealed a wide range of existing barriers, including language and communication, acculturation, and unmet mental health needs. Many of these barriers are interrelated and jointly reflect larger health system issues and poor health outcomes in the short-and long-term. The articles examined address existing barriers and ongoing interventions that aim to mitigate disparities for this population. This paper will address recommendations for the nursing profession to help reduce barriers, address gaps in care, and improve health for resettled refugees. In addition to the review of current literature, this paper will identify best-practice recommendations, a plan proposal for implementation of a community-based promotores teaching program, and a proposal to evaluate the implementation process.