Gilmartin, Mary and Migge, Bettina (2011) Migrants and healthcare: investigating patient mobility among migrants in Ireland. Health and Place, 17 (5). pp. 1144-1149. ISSN 1353-8292

Download (285kB)

Abstract

Drawing on detailed interviews with 60 recent migrants to Ireland, we discuss the extent and nature of patient mobility. The paper is framed by the typology of patient mobility outlined by Glinos et al (2010), which highlights patient motivation and funding. We pay particular attention to four key areas: availability of health care for migrants living in Ireland; affordability of care as a push factor for patient mobility; how migrants’ perceptions of care affect their decision about where to avail of care; and the impact of familiarity on patient mobility. We provide empirical support for this typology. However, our research also highlights the fact that two factors – availability and familiarity – require further elaboration. Our research demonstrates the need for greater levels of awareness of culture specificity on the part of both migrants and healthcare providers. It also highlights the need to investigate the social and spatial activities of migrants seeking health care, both within and beyond national boundaries.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Preprint version of original published article. Original version available at doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.05.002
Keywords:	Ireland; healthcare; migrants; patient mobility;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography
Item ID:	3564
Depositing User:	Dr. Mary Gilmartin
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2012 14:17
Journal or Publication Title:	Health and Place
Publisher:	Elsevier
Refereed:	No
URI:	http://www.journals.elsevier.com/health-...
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads