Barriers to healthcare for Venezuelan migrants: physicians' perspective

Abstract

Purpose

Increased migration to small island developing states poses major challenges on receiving countries' healthcare systems. Due to public health policy on treating migrants in Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuelan migrants are experiencing less than optimal care. This paper examines the retrospective accounts of physicians treating Venezuelan migrants with limited access to healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten in depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians working in primary healthcare and emergency departments about their clinical decision-making process in providing care for Venezuelan migrants. A narrative approach was used to highlight the personal experiences of participants. Participants were recruited by their response to an online advertisement on social media (i.e. Facebook and Instagram) and via email invitations. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using NVIVO-12 software.

Findings

Findings revealed language barriers between Venezuelan migrants and Trinidad and Tobago-based physicians hindered providing optimal care coordination. Physicians indicated the use of a translator app to bridge the service gap but questioned their ethics. Participants noted tensions between junior and senior physicians regarding referrals of Venezuelan migrants to outpatient care. The data suggests physicians' felt constrained providing additional services such as primary care due to the Provision of Public Healthcare Services Policy which forbids primary care services to migrants.

Originality/value

Sparse research on the barriers to accessing healthcare for Venezuelan migrants residing in the small island states.

Citation

Modeste-James, A. and Huggins, C. (2022), "Barriers to healthcare for Venezuelan migrants: physicians' perspective", International Journal of Health Governance, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 329-341. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-08-2021-0078