Description
Introduction: Individuals with a migrant background often underutilize physical rehabilitation services (PRS) compared to those without such background. This disparity is attributed to various barriers, including limited access to information, language barriers, illiteracy, and cultural factors. To improve PRS utilization by immigrants and refugees in Iran, it is crucial to identify these barriers and enabling factors. This study explores the factors influencing PRS utilization among immigrants and refugees with disabilities in Iran.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Iran between January and March 2023. Participants were selected through using convenient and snowball sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out both in face-to-face and online formats. Data analysis occurred concurrently with data collection, using the framework analysis approach.
Results: Findings from our research indicates that common barriers to PRS utilization among immigrants and refugees include chronic disabilities resulting from civil conflicts and war; insufficient insurance coverage; high service costs; expensive transportation and accommodation; limited knowledge about Iran's health system; inadequate awareness of available supports; restricted access to PRS in remote areas; impatience among PRS providers; fear of arrest and deportation; lack of trust in modern treatments; stringent immigration rules; high inflation rates limiting the ability to pay for PRS; and limited social support. On the other hand, several enabling factors were identified, such as strengthening insurance coverage, utilizing the capacities of charities and NGOs, providing information about available services, promoting respectful behavior by healthcare providers towards patients, facilitating cultural integration, and increasing immigrants' awareness of available services and eligibility criteria.
Conclusion: The barriers and enabling factors uncovered in this study offer valuable insights into the complexities surrounding PRS utilization by immigrants and refugees with disabilities in Iran. Understanding and addressing these factors is essential for development of targeted interventions and policies that can improve access and utilization, ultimately leading to enhanced healthcare outcomes for this vulnerable population.
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