Addressing the challenges of refugee health: Experiences from the University of Louisville interprofessional refugee immunization clinic

Abstract

Addressing the health needs among refugee populations requires an approach that recognizes social, cultural and language issues and has a platform for interventions that actively use the strengths and competencies from a variety of healthcare disciplines. An interprofessional practice model was implemented in 2012 at the University of Louisville as part of a program aimed at providing age-appropriate vaccines for newly arriving refugees in the Louisville community.  During 2012-2014, the program  involved more than 35 faculty, 22 residents and fellows, 278 students, 28 support staff and 16 researchers in collaborative work representing nursing, medicine, public health, pharmacy, and social services disciplines in addition to students and faculty from business and engineering. As of early 2015, more than 20,000 doses of vaccine have been safely provided to more than 5,000 refugees. The processes and outcomes have been deemed as beneficial by the refugees and healthcare providers. This type of interprofessional practice model may serve as a deliberative learning platform for other refugee health services.