Article Addresses Role Of Physicians, Health Care Providers Taking Care Of Refugees

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There is a fascinating article in the New England Journal of Medicine that addresses the role of physicians and other health care providers in Munich who have been taking care of refugees from Syria.

The volume is great and in the article they say major challenges included communication, since most arrivals spoke neither English nor German. In addition, many people had preexisting disease that was obvious to examiners, but in most cases no documentation of earlier diagnoses or treatment was available.

But certain tricks helped. Hospitals and emergency departments caring for patients with medical problems identified through screening found the use of pictorial and symbol cards useful in explaining symptoms and diagnostic procedures, establishing medical histories, and giving prescriptions. But there was a greater issue.

Families were fearful about being separated if one member was found to need medical treatment. For that reason, some people had hidden even severe injuries sustained during a long trek or boat crossing and had remained untreated.