title: [Health care provisions for asylum-seekers : A nationwide survey of public health authorities in Germany].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nation-wide studies on the health care situation of asylum-seekers in Germany are lacking, but decision-makers increasingly need such information.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess structures, processes and needs related to the health care provision for asylum-seekers along the continuum of reception centres to community dwellings from the perspective of the German public health authorities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nation-wide cross-sectional mixed-methods survey was carried out. All heads of public health authorities in Germany (N = 389) were invited to complete a standardized questionnaire related to: (1) medical procedures and screening; (2) prevention and health promotion; (3) communication; (4) documentation and information; (5) coordination; (6) structural resources and needs. The quantitative survey was complemented by qualitative semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 123 heads of public health authorities (response rate: 31,6 %) completed the questionnaire, and 29 were interviewed. Priority areas to improve the health care situation were better coordination and standardisation of care, enhancing vaccination capacities, standardised documentation, better health information exchange (in line with data protection laws), and a stronger focus on a few relevant infectious diseases in the scope of compulsory health entry examinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The instruments proved useful to assess the health care situation of asylum-seekers in a decentralized health care system. Repeated surveys with a focus on selected domains of the questionnaire could help monitor the health care situation on a regular basis.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland. kayvan.bozorgmehr@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Kayvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bozorgmehr
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nöst
authors.affiliation: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, Köln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Heidrun M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Thaiss
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Epidemiologie und International Public Health, Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Razum
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018580:Mandatory Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Asylum seekers; Healthcare; Processes of care; Public health service; Structures of care