Dutch citizens of Turkish origin who utilize healthcare services in Turkey: a qualitative study on motives and contextual factors.

Background: Dutch residents of Turkish origin frequently utilize healthcare in Turkey.

Methods: To investigate their motives for doing so, we conducted a qualitative study among these healthcare users using semi-structured interviews. We complemented this with informal conversations with Turkish healthcare providers and observations at the registration offices and waiting rooms of outpatient clinics in several Turkish hospitals.

The Role of the Social Network in Access to Psychosocial Services for Migrant Elderly-A Qualitative Study.

Despite high prevalence of mental problems among elderly migrants in The Netherlands, the use of psychosocial care services by this group is low. Scientific evidence points at the crucial role of social support for mental health and the use of psychosocial services. We therefore explored the role of social networks in the access to psychosocial care among elderly migrants in The Netherlands.

Ethnic Inequalities in Rectal Cancer Care in a Universal Access Healthcare System: A Nationwide Register-Based Study.

Background: Ethnic inequalities in colorectal cancer care were reported previously in the United States. Studies specifically reporting on ethnic inequalities in rectal cancer care are limited.

Objective: This study aimed to explore potential ethnic inequalities in rectal cancer care in the Netherlands.

Enumerating the preventive youth health care workforce: Size, composition and regional variation in the Netherlands.

The progress in workforce planning in preventive youth health care (YHC) is hampered by a lack of data on the current workforce. This study aimed to enumerate the Dutch YHC workforce. To understand regional variations in workforce capacity we compared these with the workforce capacity and the number of children and indicators of YHC need per region.

Acculturation and dietary patterns among residents of Surinamese origin in the Netherlands: the HELIUS dietary pattern study.

Objective: Insight into the role of acculturation in dietary patterns is important to inform the development of nutrition programmes that target ethnic minority groups. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate how the adherence to dietary patterns within an ethnic minority population in the Netherlands varies by acculturation level compared with the host population.

Design: Cross-sectional study using data of the HELIUS study.

Health changes of refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia: the role of residence status and experienced living difficulties in the resettlement process.

Introduction: Worldwide, refugees show a poorer mental and physical health than the populations among which they resettle. Little is known about the factors influencing health after resettlement. We examined the development of mental and physical health of refugees.

Barriers in access to home care services among ethnic minority and Dutch elderly--a qualitative study.

Background: Ethnic minority elderly have a high prevalence of functional limitations and chronic conditions compared to Dutch elderly. However, their use of home care services is low compared to Dutch elderly.

Objectives: Explore the barriers to access to home care services for Turkish, Moroccan Surinamese and ethnic Dutch elderly.

Healthcare consumption by ethnic minority people in their country of origin.

Background: Studies from the USA, New Zealand and Denmark suggest that many ethnic minority citizens obtain healthcare in their country of origin. Their reasons for doing so and the possible consequences remain unclear.

Methods: We used data from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting study to investigate the magnitude, types, self-reported reasons and determinants of past-year healthcare consumption in the country of origin by ethnic minority people living in the Netherlands.

A students' survey of cultural competence as a basis for identifying gaps in the medical curriculum.

Background: Assessing the cultural competence of medical students that have completed the curriculum provides indications on the effectiveness of cultural competence training in that curriculum. However, existing measures for cultural competence mostly rely on self-perceived cultural competence. This paper describes the outcomes of an assessment of knowledge, reflection ability and self-reported culturally competent consultation behaviour, the relation between these assessments and self-perceived cultural competence, and the applicability of the results in the light of developing a cultural competence educational programme.

Quality of primary care for resettled refugees in the Netherlands with chronic mental and physical health problems: a cross-sectional analysis of medical records and interview data.

Background: A high prevalence of mental and physical ill health among refugees resettled in the Netherlands has been reported. With this study we aim to assess the quality of primary healthcare for resettled refugees in the Netherlands with chronic mental and non-communicable health problems, we examined: a) general practitioners' (GP) recognition of common mental disorders (CMD) (depression and anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms); b) patients' awareness of diabetes type II (DMII) and hypertension (HT); and c) GPs' adherence to guidelines for CMD, DMII and HT.

Methods: From 172 refugees resettled in the Netherlands, interview data (2010-2011) and medical records (n = 106), were examined.

[Ethnic differences in uptake of professional maternity care assistance].

Objective: To examine the ethnic differences in the uptake of professional maternity care assistance (MCA) in the Netherlands, and the factors that may explain these differences. Additionally the effect of MCA on health risk behaviour around infants is examined.

Design: Questionnaire survey.

Course of post-traumatic stress disorder and health care utilisation among resettled refugees in the Netherlands.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major health problem among refugees worldwide. After resettlement, the prevalence of PTSD remains high despite the fact that various PTSD treatments are known to be effective.

Methods: We examined the course of PTSD and the role of mental health care utilisation at a 7-year interval (2003-2010) among a cohort of refugees from Iran, Afghanistan, and Somalia after resettlement in the Netherlands.

The disease burden across different ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 2011-2030.

Background: Current disease burden estimates do not provide evidence across different ethnic groups. This study aims to assess the disease burden as measured by the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for six ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for 2011 and 2030.

Methods: The DALYs were calculated by combining three components: disease-/sex-/age-specific DALYs per person; disease-specific relative risks (RRs) by ethnicity; and sex-/age-specific population sizes by ethnicity in Amsterdam in 2011 and 2030.

Interpreting ethnic inequalities in healthcare consumption: a conceptual framework for research.

Background: The increasing diversity of the Western-European population demands identification of potential ethnic healthcare inequities. We developed a framework that helps researchers in interpreting ethnic inequalities in healthcare consumption in equity terms. From this framework, we develop recommendations for the design of future studies.

Experiences with treating immigrants: a qualitative study in mental health services across 16 European countries.

Purpose: While there has been systematic research on the experiences of immigrant patients in mental health services within certain European countries, little research has explored the experiences of mental health professionals in the delivery of services to immigrants across Europe. This study sought to explore professionals' experiences of delivering care to immigrants in districts densely populated with immigrants across Europe.

Methods: Forty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health care professionals working in 16 European countries.

Importance of quality aspects of GP care among ethnic minorities: role of cultural attitudes, language and healthcare system of reference.

Aims: This study examines the mechanisms responsible for ethnic differences in perceived quality of care in The Netherlands. The specific role of cultural attitudes, language proficiency, and the health system in the country of origin was examined, taking socio-demographic characteristics into account.

Methods: Interview data of 1339 respondents of Moroccan, Turkish, Surinamese and Antillean origin were combined with interview data of Dutch respondents (n = 405) and of Western immigrants (n = 102) in The Netherlands and of a random sample of Dutch privately or publicly insured persons (n = 9675).

Perceived discrimination outside health care settings and health care utilization of Turkish and Moroccan GP patients in the Netherlands.

Background: Problematic interethnic relationships, expressed by feelings of discrimination, may contribute to ethnic variations in health and health care utilization. The impact of daily perceived discrimination on (mental) health has been shown. Less is known about the effect of everyday discrimination on the health care utilization.

Good practice in health care for migrants: views and experiences of care professionals in 16 European countries.

Background: Health services across Europe provide health care for migrant patients every day. However, little systematic research has explored the views and experiences of health care professionals in different European countries. The aim of this study was to assess the difficulties professionals experience in their service when providing such care and what they consider constitutes good practice to overcome these problems or limit their negative impact on the quality of care.

Changes in health and primary health care use of Moroccan and Turkish migrants between 2001 and 2005: a longitudinal study.

Background: Social environment and health status are related, and changes affecting social relations may also affect the general health state of a group. During the past few years, several events have affected the relationships between Muslim immigrants and the non-immigrant population in many countries. This study investigates whether the health status of the Moroccan and Turkish immigrants in the Netherlands has changed in four years, whether changes in health status have had any influence on primary health care use, and which socio-demographic factors might explain this relationship.