title: Primary care for the Roma in Europe: Position paper of the European forum for primary care.
abstract: Roma populations' low health status and limited access to health services, including primary care, has been documented in many European countries, and warrants specific health policies and practices. A variety of experiences shows how primary care can adjust its practices to reduce the barriers to primary care for Roma populations. At local level, establishing collaboration with Roma organisations helps primary care to improve mutual relations and quality of care. Mediation has proved to be an effective tool. Skills training of primary care practitioners may enhance their individual competences. Research and international sharing of experiences are further tools to improve primary care for the Roma people.
authors.affiliation: European Forum for Primary Care, Watermolen 42, Houten, 3995AP, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Graaf
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Poljanski nasip 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Danica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rotar Pavlič
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Poljanski nasip 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zelko
authors.affiliation: Pharos, Dutch Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities.
authors.forename: Marga
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vintges
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hanssens
keywords: primary care; primary health care; the Roma people; the Roma people’s health mediators