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Families from migrant and refugee backgrounds have a right to expect safe and high quality health care in their country of settlement. In order for health care teams to provide culturally responsive care, an understanding of the way in which communication, health perceptions and beliefs can impact on care is required. This article covers the issues faced by children and families from culturally diverse backgrounds in accessing appropriate health care, focusing on the impact of health perceptions and beliefs, communication styles and acculturation. We present concepts, strategies and tools that can inform health practitioners, improve clinician-patient relationships in an empowering and therapeutic way, and impact on care delivery and health outcomes for migrant and refugee populations. They are relevant to health care teams providing care to families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of health conditions in newly arrived refugee children and access to timely heath screening. Methods: Cross-sectional data from screening of refugee children in regional Australia (2007-12) were analysed for health conditions and timeliness of primary care access. The health of 376 newly arrived refugee children (0-15 years) was assessed. Refugee children came from African (45%), Southeast Asian (29%) and Eastern Mediterranean (10%) regions. Access to primary care screening was present in 367 children (97% of arrivals). Completion of all recommended screening tests was 72%. Of 188 children with arrival and screening dates recorded, 88% were screened within 1 month and 96% within 6 months of arrival. Timely access of remaining children could not be assessed. Conclusion: Primary care was highly accessible to almost all newly arrived refugee children. Health screening was timely in those children with complete medical records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the development of the Optimising Health and Learning Program, guided by the only available published framework for the delivery of health services to newly arrived refugee children and report on the evaluation of the programme.Methods: We conducted process and impact evaluation using a mixed methods approach. The sample was 294 refugee young people enrolled in two Intensive English Centres in New South Wales. We collected quantitative data (demographic and clinical information) as well as qualitative data via focus groups, key informant interviews, surveys and programme documentation. Qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis; programme documents underwent document review.Results: There were high levels of programme participation (90%), and the yield from routine health screening was high (80% of participants screened positive for two or more health conditions). All identified programme development strategies were implemented; programme partners and participants reported satisfaction with the programme. Sixteen programme partners were identified with a high level of intersectoral collaboration reported. Significant in-kind contributions and seed funding enabled the uptake of the programme to increase from one to five Intensive English Centres over a 4-year period.Conclusion: Process and impact evaluation identified that the programme was well implemented and met its stated objectives of increasing the detection of health conditions likely to impact on student health and learning; linkage of newly arrived students and their families with primary health care; and coordination of care across primary health and specialist services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]