title: GP and registrar involvement in refugee health - a needs assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  General practitioners play a crucial role in understanding the specific health and social issues of refugees, as they are often the first contact that refugees have with the healthcare system. Providing equitable access to healthcare services presents considerable challenges, particularly in regional areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposive sample of GP supervisors and general practice registrars was selected from a regional area of southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. General practitioners were surveyed to assess their needs and attitudes in treating refugees, and the perceived impact of refugees in practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences between GP groups, between domestic and internationally trained medical graduates, and between genders in their needs and attitudes relating to refugee health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a strong sense that there are benefits in dealing with refugee health. More research is needed to identify the supports and education required to be able to effectively help refugees.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Sydney - Rural Clinical School Wagga Wagga Sub-school, the University of Notre Dame Australia, New South Wales. geraldine.duncan@bigpond.com.au
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilmour
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D020958:Australian Capital Territory; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009517:New South Wales; D010819:Physician's Role; D012036:Refugees; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires