Browsing by Subject "Refugee"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Pediatric emergency department use by Afghan refugees at a temporary housing facility
    (Wiley, 2023-04-17) Ulintz, Alexander; Anderson, Katherine; Shah, Ishani; Khan, Maria; Weinstein, Elizabeth; Peterson, Rachel; Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine
    Objectives: In August 2021, "Operation Allies Welcome" evacuated 76,000 Afghan refugees to 8 US temporary housing facilities. The impact of refugee influx on local emergency department (ED) use and the resources needed during resettlement are poorly described. We report the frequency of pediatric ED visits and characterize the ED resources needed by pediatric Afghan refugees from 1 temporary housing facility. Methods: This single-center, retrospective cohort study identified participants via a refugee identifier in the medical record. The primary outcome was the frequency and timing of pediatric ED visits; secondary outcomes included resources used during ED evaluation and management. Trained reviewers collected data using a predefined instrument and descriptive statistics are reported. Results: This study included 175 pediatric ED visits by Afghan refugees. The highest volumes (n = 73, 42%) occurred 3-5 weeks after evacuation. Common presenting complaints included fever (36%), gastrointestinal (15%), and respiratory (13%). Resources used included radiography (64%), lab testing (63%), and medication (78%). Specialist consultation occurred in 43% of visits; infectious diseases (17%) and neurology (15%) were the most common. Discharge (61%) was more common than admission (39%), though 31% of discharged patients had a repeat ED visit. Only 51% attended a recommended follow-up appointment. Conclusion: In this study, most pediatric ED visits by refugees occurred within 5 weeks of arrival. Most patients were discharged after diagnostic testing, medication, and specialist consultation, but repeat ED visits were common. These patterns have important implications in preparing for future mass displacement events.
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    Refugee Resettlement in Indiana (2022)
    (Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, 2022-08-23) Arun, Nidhi; Schultz, Kristi; Lawrence, Roxy
    There are approximately 27,800 refugees in Indiana. From 1970–2007, between 200 and 500 refugees resettled in Indiana each year. The Syrian civil war led to a 63% increase in refugee arrivals in the Hoosier State from 2011 to 2015. In 2016 alone, 1,934 primary refugees—those who entered the United States through Indiana—resettled in the state. In the most recent count, 202 refugees arrived in the state between October 2020 and September 2021. As refugee populations grow, states must have the necessary infrastructure in place to resettle and support these individuals. This brief describes the unique challenges and barriers of resettling refugees in Indiana, highlights gaps in services, and pinpoints practices and policies that may effectively and sustainably address refugee needs in Indiana.
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    "Understand us and acknowledge our reasons": Perspectives from Burmese refugee families on interactions with their pediatricians
    (Elsevier, 2023-03-20) Sui, Htayni; Thomas, Melissa; Tial, Biak Len; Roose, Anna; McHenry, Megan S.; Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health
    Introduction: Indianapolis is home to one of the largest Burmese communities in the United States; however, little is known of Burmese families' experiences with medical providers. The complex health history of Burmese refugees, coupled with the necessity of quality childhood care for later development, demonstrates a need for medical residents to better understand their diverse patient populations. This study aimed to understand Burmese families' perspectives on their interactions with their pediatric providers. Material and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Burmese refugee families, which were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated. A patient-centered care framework guided interview questions and directed content analysis. Results: Themes that emerged from individual interviews often related with cross-cultural communication, including patient engagement in care, challenges utilizing an interpreter, and concerns about discussing sensitive issues with healthcare workers. Overall, parents had positive perceptions of their child's pediatrician, but some distrusted interpreters and other members of the healthcare staff. Though parents reported a desire to be more involved in their child's care, they felt uncomfortable engaging with sensitive topics. A large barrier to care was lack of time during appointments. Discussion: Through understanding the perspectives of Burmese refugee families, pediatricians and training programs for medical professionals may consider ways to enhance the patient-provider relationship and health outcomes for this population.