Person-centred, community-oriented, and diversity sensitive primary care for migrants; a EFPC position paper

van Loenen, Tessa, Podda Connor, Marika, Wojczewski, Silvia, Tsereteli, Zaza, Korzh, Oleksii, Monteiro, Isabel, de Graaf, Pim, Ibrahiim, Kalimah, Güner, Sevil, Glasdam, Stinne, Al-tashi, Samar, Ungan, Mehmet and van den Muijsenbergh, Maria (2026) Person-centred, community-oriented, and diversity sensitive primary care for migrants; a EFPC position paper. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 27. e33. ISSN 1477-1128

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Abstract

Aim: This paper aims to describe what constitutes good-quality, accessible, affordable and acceptable primary care for migrants. This includes identifying system adaptations and offering evidence- and practice-based recommendations and guidance for primary care organizations and professionals on how to deliver such care. Background: Migration has significantly diversified European populations. Migrants often face structural, linguistic, cultural, and systemic barriers in accessing appropriate primary care. While these challenges are well-documented, implementation of effective, inclusive care remains inconsistent across countries. Methods: This position paper presents a narrative synthesis of existing literature, expert opinions, and recent policy developments. It draws on evidence from healthcare research, policy analyses, and recommendations developed by the European Forum for Primary Care working group on migrants, primarily covering developments from the past decade. Findings: High-quality primary care for migrants requires coordinated action across care delivery, capacity building, and system-level structures. Care delivery must be person-centred and comprehensive, supported by interprofessional collaboration and professional interpretation. Capacity building depends on training and education that embed diversity-sensitive care, cultural humility, and structural competency. At the system level, policies should guarantee equitable access, continuity of care, and inclusive quality monitoring, while fostering intersectoral partnerships and community engagement. Conclusion: Embedding person-centred, diversity-sensitive, and community-oriented principles into primary care systems is essential for achieving equitable healthcare for migrant populations. This is an urgent plea to healthcare policymakers, organizations, and professionals to undertake action to realise these reforms as they not only improve care for migrants but contribute to stronger, sustainable and more resilient health systems overall.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	** Article version: VoR ** From Cambridge University Press via Jisc Publications Router ** History: received 24-08-2025; rev-recd 12-12-2025; accepted 14-12-2025; epub 04-03-2026. ** Licence for VoR version of this article: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ** Acknowledgements: We thank the Migrant Health Working group members as well as all participants of the Ljubljana EFPC conference workshop for their input and expertise
Keywords:	EFPC position paper, migrant health, primary care, person-centred
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Router
Depositing User:	JISC Router
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2026 13:00
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2026 14:06
URI:	https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/20883

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