Access to health care for non EU migrants in the Czech Republic : The results of qualitative research
Abstract
Background: Some categories of third countries' migrants in the CR have restricted access to healthcare. The aim of this study is to describe and analyse migrants' experiences of access to healthcare.
Methods: Qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with twenty four migrants in the Czech Republic. Results: Some categories of third countries 'migrants face formal and informal barriers to the Czech healthcare system, which lead to alternative health-seeking strategies such as using doctors in countries of origin (salmon bias), payments in cash, postponing the health care, visiting the known physicians or physicians with migration background and self-medication.
The barriers to healthcare were: limited legal entitlement to public health insurance, mistrust and lack of awareness of medical professionals, approach of commercial health insurance companies based on the market principles, poor language skills, and lack of knowledge about the Czech healthcare system.