Government agencies estimate that more than 3.5 million refugees and asylum seekers have resettled in the United States (US). However, only 14 treatment centers exist in the US providing specialized care to this patient population and none of them offer all the services needed by these individuals. Since 1998, numerous healthcare providers and attorneys from different departments of Boston Medical Center and schools of Boston University have come together to work in a unique collaborative effort for the purpose of delivering comprehensive culturally sensitive medical, mental health, and dental care, coordinated with legal and social services for this patient population. The Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights endeavors to facilitate the re-integration of these individuals into society. The Center has 3 other objectives: (A) Education and training. (B) Advocacy and prevention. (C) Conducting research. The Center has cared for 80 patients from all over the world including more than 25 countries, who suffer from a variety of conditions, including but not limited to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, parasites, and tuberculosis. The Center has provided the following services during the past year: adult primary care, mental health care, dental care, social work, legal aid, medical and psychological evaluations, affidavits for asylum cases, and consultations. Observations made during patient care suggest that patients who received integrated care suffer less psychological re-traumatization compared to patients who received segmented care. However, studies are needed to confirm these anecdotal observations.
Learning Objectives: Recognize innovative models of care for vulnerable populations Discuss the coordinated and cooperative work between healthcare providers and lawyers when caring for victims of human rights violations
Keywords: Human Rights, Special Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.