Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29903036›Full record

ReviewGlobalization and health2018

Migrants' access to healthcare services within the European Union: a content analysis of policy documents in Ireland, Portugal and Spain.

Céline Ledoux, Eva Pilot, Esperanza Diaz, Thomas Krafft

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Globalization and health, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 46 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
46citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

46 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Paediatric Primary Care Across Europe: A Survey of 42 Countries.Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Exploring barriers to healthcare among internal and international female migrants in The Gambia.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Bridging the gap - Establishing a dental-oncology service in a cancer centre.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Article
  14. Article
  15. Review
  16. Article
  17. Review
  18. Article
  19. Effects of Immigrants, Health, and Ageing on Economic Growth in the European Union.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022
    Article
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Céline LedouxMaastricht Centre for Global Health, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. c.ledoux@maastrichtuniversity.nl.ORCID 0000-0002-3147-2380
Eva PilotMaastricht Centre for Global Health, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Esperanza DiazDepartment of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Thomas KrafftMaastricht Centre for Global Health, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Funding

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme () 643398
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe current migration flow into Europe is leading to a growing ethnically diverse population in many European countries. Now more than ever, those populations have different healthcare needs, languages, traditions, and previous level of care. This higher level of diversity is likely to increase health inequalities that might challenge healthcare systems if not addressed. In this context, this study aims at reviewing the policy framework for migrants' access to healthcare in Spain, Portugal and Ireland, countries with a long history of immigration, to identify lessons to be learned for policies on migrants' health.

methodsA content analysis of official policy documents was undertaken and the conceptual framework developed by Mladowsky was adapted to classify the actions indicated in the policies.

resultsThe content analysis revealed that the policy aim for all three analysed countries is the improvement of the health status of the immigrant population based on equity and equality principles. The main strategies are the adaptation of services through actions targeting patients and providers, such as the implementation of cultural mediators and trainings for health professionals.

conclusionThe three countries propose a great range of policies aiming at improving access to healthcare services for immigrants that can inspire other European countries currently welcoming refugees. Developing inclusive policies, however does not necessarily mean they will be implemented or felt on the ground. Inclusive policies are indeed under threat due to the economic and social crises and due to the respective nationalistic attitudes towards integration. The European Union is challenged to take a more proactive leadership and ensure that countries effectively implement inclusive actions to improve migrant's access to health services.

Indexed as

Health PolicyHealth Services AccessibilityPolicy MakingTransients and MigrantsEuropean UnionHumansIrelandPortugalSpainAccess to health servicesEuropean UnionInclusive healthcare policyMigrants’ healthMigration

Identifiers

PMID29903036
PMCPMC6003193

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.