Watch the Webinar

GLOBO Spotlight: UVA Health's International Family Clinic

How UVA Health’s International Family Medicine Clinic is Improving Healthcare for Refugee Patients

Join us for an insightful and impactful webinar as we spotlight the University of Virginia’s International Family Medicine Clinic (IFMC) and its pioneering efforts in improving healthcare delivery for its diverse refugee patient population. The IFMC serves thousands of patients annually who represent more than 84 countries and 79 different languages.

Our discussion will delve into the unique health challenges faced by refugees, including higher risks of nutritional disorders, dental disease, infectious diseases, and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Despite often being healthier upon arrival than the native-born population, refugees' health can deteriorate over time due to factors like adopting less healthy behaviors, including changes in physical activity and diet, loss of social networks and employment, and the stressors of the settlement process.

Learn how IFMC is overcoming these challenges through the effective use of professional interpreters, fostering cultural competence, providing interprofessional comprehensive care, and setting realistic healthcare goals.

Key takeaways:

• The importance of professional interpreters in healthcare settings and the pitfalls of relying on family members for interpretation.

• Strategies for building cultural competence within healthcare teams to better serve refugee populations.

• Practical approaches to improving patient-doctor relationships and ensuring refugees receive the care they need.

• Insights into the resilience of refugee populations and how to support their long-term health and well-being.