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Papers by Cara Kang
European Journal of Public Health, 2020
Background: With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for ... more Background: With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for healthcare
in England for certain migrants in 2017. There is concern these policies amplify the barriers to healthcare already
faced by asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs). Awareness has been shown to be fundamental to access. This article
jointly explores (i) health care professionals’ (HCPs) awareness of migrants’ eligibility for healthcare, and (ii) ASRs’
awareness of health services. Methods: Mixed methods were used. Quantitative survey data explored HCPs’
awareness of migrants’ eligibility to healthcare after the extension of charging regulations. Qualitative data
from semi-structured interviews with ASRs were analyzed thematically using Saurman’s domains of awareness
as a framework. Results: In total 514 HCPs responded to the survey. Significant gaps in HCPs’ awareness of
definitions, entitlements and charging regulations were identified. 80% of HCP respondents were not confident
defining the immigration categories upon which eligibility for care rests. Only a small minority (6%) reported
both awareness and understanding of the charging regulations. In parallel, the 18 ASRs interviewed had poor
awareness of their eligibility for free National Health Service care and suitability for particular services. This was
compounded by language difficulties, social isolation, frequent asylum dispersal accommodation moves, and
poverty. Conclusion: This study identifies significant confusion amongst both HCP and ASR concerning eligibility
and healthcare access. The consequent negative impact on health is concerning given the contemporary political
climate, where eligibility for healthcare depends on immigration status.
British Journal of General Practice, 2019
BackgroundAsylum seekers and refugees (ASR) face difficulty accessing health care in host countri... more BackgroundAsylum seekers and refugees (ASR) face difficulty accessing health care in host countries. In 2017, NHS charges for overseas visitors were extended to include some community care for refused asylum seekers. There is growing concern that this will increase access difficulties, but no recent research has documented the lived experiences of ASR accessing UK primary health care.AimTo examine ASR experiences accessing primary health care in the UK in 2018.Design and settingThis was a qualitative community-based study. ASR were recruited by criterion-based sampling through voluntary community organisations.MethodA total of 18 ASR completed face-to-face semi-structured recorded interviews discussing primary care access. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis by three researchers using Penchansky and Thomas’s modified theory of access.ResultsThe qualitative data show that participants found primary care services difficult to navigate and negotiate. Dominant themes included langua...
European Journal of Public Health, 2019
Background With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for h... more Background With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for healthcare in England for certain migrants in 2017. There is concern these policies amplify the barriers to healthcare already faced by asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs). Awareness has been shown to be fundamental to access. This article jointly explores (i) health care professionals’ (HCPs) awareness of migrants’ eligibility for healthcare, and (ii) ASRs’ awareness of health services. Methods Mixed methods were used. Quantitative survey data explored HCPs’ awareness of migrants’ eligibility to healthcare after the extension of charging regulations. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with ASRs were analyzed thematically using Saurman’s domains of awareness as a framework. Results In total 514 HCPs responded to the survey. Significant gaps in HCPs’ awareness of definitions, entitlements and charging regulations were identified. 80% of HCP respondents were not confident defin...
European Journal of Public Health, 2020
Background: With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for ... more Background: With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for healthcare
in England for certain migrants in 2017. There is concern these policies amplify the barriers to healthcare already
faced by asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs). Awareness has been shown to be fundamental to access. This article
jointly explores (i) health care professionals’ (HCPs) awareness of migrants’ eligibility for healthcare, and (ii) ASRs’
awareness of health services. Methods: Mixed methods were used. Quantitative survey data explored HCPs’
awareness of migrants’ eligibility to healthcare after the extension of charging regulations. Qualitative data
from semi-structured interviews with ASRs were analyzed thematically using Saurman’s domains of awareness
as a framework. Results: In total 514 HCPs responded to the survey. Significant gaps in HCPs’ awareness of
definitions, entitlements and charging regulations were identified. 80% of HCP respondents were not confident
defining the immigration categories upon which eligibility for care rests. Only a small minority (6%) reported
both awareness and understanding of the charging regulations. In parallel, the 18 ASRs interviewed had poor
awareness of their eligibility for free National Health Service care and suitability for particular services. This was
compounded by language difficulties, social isolation, frequent asylum dispersal accommodation moves, and
poverty. Conclusion: This study identifies significant confusion amongst both HCP and ASR concerning eligibility
and healthcare access. The consequent negative impact on health is concerning given the contemporary political
climate, where eligibility for healthcare depends on immigration status.
British Journal of General Practice, 2019
BackgroundAsylum seekers and refugees (ASR) face difficulty accessing health care in host countri... more BackgroundAsylum seekers and refugees (ASR) face difficulty accessing health care in host countries. In 2017, NHS charges for overseas visitors were extended to include some community care for refused asylum seekers. There is growing concern that this will increase access difficulties, but no recent research has documented the lived experiences of ASR accessing UK primary health care.AimTo examine ASR experiences accessing primary health care in the UK in 2018.Design and settingThis was a qualitative community-based study. ASR were recruited by criterion-based sampling through voluntary community organisations.MethodA total of 18 ASR completed face-to-face semi-structured recorded interviews discussing primary care access. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis by three researchers using Penchansky and Thomas’s modified theory of access.ResultsThe qualitative data show that participants found primary care services difficult to navigate and negotiate. Dominant themes included langua...
European Journal of Public Health, 2019
Background With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for h... more Background With the aim of decreasing immigration, the British government extended charging for healthcare in England for certain migrants in 2017. There is concern these policies amplify the barriers to healthcare already faced by asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs). Awareness has been shown to be fundamental to access. This article jointly explores (i) health care professionals’ (HCPs) awareness of migrants’ eligibility for healthcare, and (ii) ASRs’ awareness of health services. Methods Mixed methods were used. Quantitative survey data explored HCPs’ awareness of migrants’ eligibility to healthcare after the extension of charging regulations. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with ASRs were analyzed thematically using Saurman’s domains of awareness as a framework. Results In total 514 HCPs responded to the survey. Significant gaps in HCPs’ awareness of definitions, entitlements and charging regulations were identified. 80% of HCP respondents were not confident defin...