220 Enhancing primary healthcare access for newly arrived migrants: a qualitative study from a Swiss General Practitioners perspective

Abstract PTH 6: Health Policy and Health Services 1, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 16:30 - 17:30 Aim The unprecedented influx of migrants into Europe in 2015 highlighted the need for evidence-based guidance in primary healthcare management of refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. We aimed to identify the major issues relating to mainly sub–Saharan African (SSA) asylum seekers and refugees, as perceived by General Practitioners (GPs) in North-Western Switzerland. Method This qualitative study applied semi-structured interviews to identify possible approaches and interventions from twenty GPs in three Swiss cantons. All participants were well acquainted with migrants and migration background patients in their practices. The interviews were translated and transcribed, coded with MAXQDA 18, and analysed using the framework methodology. Results Problems relating to health insurance companies among health-insured asylum seekers and refugees were negligible, and a high acceptance for vaccinations was found (both contrary to preconceived beliefs). GPs reported that i) limitations in time for consultations and adequate reimbursement posed serious challenges, that ii) the majority of consultations were complaint-oriented and preventive consultations rare, and iii) that language barriers were the main barrier for psychosocial consultations (but much less so for somatic complaints). The major needs reported related to i) improving the networking capabilities between GPs (i.e., establishing bridging services with asylum centres was seen a priority need); and ii) having broader training opportunities for GPs in “Migration Medicine” with regular updates of current guidelines; as well as iiii) initiatives towards the standardisation of health documentation facilitating exchange of medical data (i.e. digital/paper-based “health booklets” ) in refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. Conclusion At the primary healthcare level, misconceptions on vaccination acceptance and health-insurance issues were identified; challenges involved insufficient time for consultation administration issues, and language barriers – especially for mental health patients; the major needs centred around improved networking and migration-specific continuous education for GPs and standardised health documentation in the migrant population.