The article by Reihani et al. (2021) helped support the socio-ecological model among recently settled refugees in a variety of ways. For instance, it facilitated the identification of barriers that impact access to public health. Reihani et al. (2021) demonstrate the socio-ecological model’s capacity to provide critical insight into systematic challenges as well as define a path that would facilitate the implementation of changes to the U.S. healthcare system.
The authors used the socio-ecological model as an intervention by using it to identify policies and systems that impact Afghan refugees. These include the expansion of Medicaid and the integration of electronic medical health records. In addition, the model facilitated the explication of community factors, such as the provision of integrated primary care services and the demystification of myths regarding Afghan refugees in host communities. The researchers used the socio-ecological model to highlight individual factors such as the cultural competence of providers, self-efficacy among Afghan refugees, English proficiency, and health literacy. The model also helped the researchers to identify interpersonal factors that impact access to healthcare services. These include the availability of in-person interpreters, the practice of cultural humility, and the prevalence of peer-to-peer orientation from previously resettled Afghan refugees. Finally, the researchers were able to understand organizational factors that facilitated access to healthcare services. These included the availability of multidisciplinary medical services in one primary center and the availability of detail-oriented sessions.
The socio-ecological model helped the researchers to provide a comprehensive explanation of stakeholder experiences in healthcare. The resultant findings are instrumental in guiding policy and increasing access to services in the Afghan community. The proposed changes are intended to facilitate the development of an equitable healthcare system that prioritizes the needs of refugees and encourages the evaluation of their challenges in a culturally responsible manner.
Reference
Reihani, A. R., Zimmerman, H. G., Fernando, N., Saunders, D. R., Edberg, M., Carter, E., Projects Manager, S., George, P., & Director, C. (2021). Barriers and facilitators to improving access to healthcare for recently resettled Afghan refugees: A transformative qualitative study. The Italian Journal for Interdisciplinary Health and Social Development, 6, 59–72. Web.