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The concept of health system resilience has gained popularity in the global health discourse, featuring in UN policies, academic articles and conferences. While substantial effort has gone into the conceptualization of health system resilience, there has been no review of how the concept has been operationalized in empirical studies. We conducted an empirical review in three databases using systematic methods. Findings were synthesized using descriptive quantitative analysis and by mapping aims, findings, underlying concepts and measurement approaches according to the resilience definition by Blanchet et al. We identified 71 empirical studies on health system resilience from 2008 to 2019, with an increase in literature in recent years (62% of studies published since 2017). Most studies addressed a specific crisis or challenge (82%), most notably infectious disease outbreaks (20%), natural disasters (15%) and climate change (11%). A large proportion of studies focused on service delivery (48%), while other health system building blocks were side-lined. The studies differed in terms of their disciplinary tradition and conceptual background, which was reflected in the variety of concepts and measurement approaches used. Despite extensive theoretical work on the domains which constitute health system resilience, we found that most of the empirical literature only addressed particular aspects related to absorptive and adaptive capacities, with legitimacy of institutions and transformative resilience seldom addressed. Qualitative and mixed methods research captured a broader range of resilience domains than quantitative research. The review shows that the way in which resilience is currently applied in the empirical literature does not match its theoretical foundations. In order to do justice to the complexities of the resilience concept, knowledge from both quantitative and qualitative research traditions should be integrated in a comprehensive assessment framework. Only then will the theoretical 'resilience idea' be able to prove its usefulness for the research community. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Background Screening asylum-seekers for active pulmonary tuberculosis is common practice among many European countries with low incidence of tuberculosis. The reported yields vary substantially, partly due to the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of asylum-seeking populations. Some countries apply targeted screening measures based on the incidence of tuberculosis in the country of origin. Evaluations of such approaches with respect to (cost)-effectiveness is scarce. Methods Using screening data from a large German state over 14 years (2002-2015), we evaluate the cost-effectiveness of targeted screening based on WHO-reported incidence of tuberculosis in country of origins (from thresholds of 50 to 250/100,000 inhabitants). Incremental cost-effectiveness is measured as cost per case found and cost per case prevented. Results Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of screening asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence of 50 to 250/100,000 range between 15,000€ and 17,000€ per additional case found when compared to lower thresholds. The ICER for additional screening of asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence Conclusions The high cost per case found or case prevented in the Key messages We challenge the widespread belief that indiscriminate tuberculosis screening programmes are placed at an acceptable balance between costs and benefits. Targeting asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence above 50/100,000 is likely to be a reasonable screening measure for the prevention and control of tuberculosis.

In 2015, more than 890,000 asylum seekers were registered in Germany. The provision of medical and psychosocial care for asylum seekers is facing numerous obstacles. Access to health care is mostly insufficient, particularly in initial reception centres. The present article describes the development and implementation of an interdisciplinary outpatient clinic for asylum seekers at the main registration authority in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg operated by physicians of the University Hospital of Heidelberg and the local Medical Association in Heidelberg. A steering committee was appointed to plan and implement the interdisciplinary outpatient clinic. Semi-structured interviews with nine steering committee members were conducted to elucidate perceived barriers during the planning and implementation phase. The steering committee's strong personal commitment and the health authorities' impartial management were cited as the main contributing factors to the success of the implementation process. Significant barriers were seen in the funding of personnel, equipment, and language mediation as well as in legal liability and billing-related aspects. Results are discussed with a focus on financing, administrative and legal framework as well as language mediation, documentation and further matters that are essential to ensure high-quality care.

This chapter describes the consequences of securitising health in the context of forced migration. To begin with, we outline the evolution of the concept of health security and its narrow focus on cross-border infectious disease control. The concept of universal health coverage and the right to health are introduced and differences between global health security and universal health coverage illustrated. We then describe how forced migrants’ health has been securitised, using examples from various countries and time periods, and elaborate negative and positive consequences of the securitisation process, especially with respect to forced migrants’ access to universal health coverage. Despite fundamental and essential differences between health security and universal health coverage, there is potential for a synergetic approach that would benefit both host populations and migrant’s health. Necessary conceptual shifts include a mutual foundation of the right to health and a more comprehensive understanding of global health security. We further call for the de-securitisation of migrants’ health, for inclusive health-care systems and effective and cost-effective approaches to infectious disease control.

During the time of increased in-migration of asylum seekers to Germany in 2015 and 2016, different models of healthcare provision were established in reception centres, often on an ad hoc basis and influenced by local actors. The goal of this study was to map different care models and identify challenges in the implementation of effective and needs-based health service structures.Data was generated through 13semi-structured interviews and in an interactive workshop with group discussions. An analysis was conducted using aqualitative content analysis method. Participants were stakeholders from clinics in reception centres, including medical and healthcare personnel, administrators, representatives of public health offices and researchers.Different models of ambulatory care have formed as aresponse to the particular medical needs of asylum seekers and the complex context in which care takes place, often exceeding the simple offer of primary care. The facilities fundamentally differ with regard to objectives and organisational aspects, e.g. the responsible carrier, structure of human resources and the extent of health services provided. Shared challenges include planning needs-based care, the lack of shared guidelines and alack of opportunities for exchange between the different actors working in the clinics. Action is required to transform ad hoc initiatives into resilient health care practices, particularly regarding structured and continued opportunities for exchange, as well as the development and implementation of nation-wide guidelines. Jointly developed areas for action and proposed solutions presented here can serve as abasis for further work in this area., Im Zuge der gestiegenen Zahlen Asylsuchender in den Jahren 2015/2016 haben sich in Deutschland, geprägt durch lokale Akteur*innen, sehr unterschiedliche Konzepte zur medizinischen Versorgung in Aufnahmeeinrichtungen (AE) etabliert. Ziel unserer Studie war es, unterschiedliche Versorgungskonzepte in AE abzubilden und die Herausforderungen der Verstetigung bedarfsgerechter medizinischer Versorgungsstrukturen herauszuarbeiten. Daten wurden aus 13 semistrukturierten Interviews und im Rahmen einer Fachtagung mit Workshops und Gruppendiskussionen erhoben und durch eine qualitative Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Teilnehmer*innen waren Akteur*innen der medizinischen Versorgung in AE, darunter ärztliches und Gesundheitsfachpersonal, Verwaltungsbeauftragte, Vertreter*innen des öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes und Wissenschaftler*innen. Als Antwort auf die gesundheitlichen Bedarfe von Asylsuchenden und die komplexen Rahmenbedingungen der Versorgung haben sich unterschiedliche Ambulanzkonzepte gebildet, deren Zweck, Organisation und Management in vielen Aspekten über das Angebot einer ärztlichen Sprechstunde hinausgehen. Die Ambulanzen unterschieden sich in organisationsbezogenen Aspekten z. B. hinsichtlich des Betreibers, der Personalstruktur und des Umfangs der Versorgung. Gemeinsame Herausforderungen stellen eine adäquate Bedarfsplanung, der Mangel einheitlicher Leitlinien und fehlende Schnittstellen zwischen den in der Ambulanz tätigen Akteur*innen dar. Dringender Handlungsbedarf im Sinne eines strukturierten und kontinuierlichen Erfahrungsaustauschs sowie in der Implementierung bundesweiter Standards ist geboten, um Ad-hoc-Initiativen in resiliente Ambulanzstrukturen zu überführen. Die erarbeiteten Handlungsbedarfe und Lösungsvorschläge können hierfür als Grundlage dienen.

Background The concept of health system resilience has gained popularity in the global health discourse, featuring in UN policies, academic articles and conferences. The term is commonly used to refer to the ability of health systems to respond to challenges. However, there has been no comprehensive overview of how the concept is understood and assessed in health systems research (HSR). Methods We conducted a conceptual and empirical review in 3 databases using systematic methods. Quantitative and narrative synthesis was used to trace the introduction of the concept to HSR, identify relevant definitions and examine its use in research. Results From 4063 references, we identified 96 articles concerned with health system resilience from 2007 - 2017, with a recent increase in literature (45% of studies published since 2016). Many articles take a general perspective; others focus on specific HSR building blocks (e.g. 28% on service delivery) or a particular type of crisis, such as climate change (12.5%) or natural disasters (10.4%). While the concept was developed from the ecological sciences, its meaning has been adapted in HSR, with a shift towards people-centred and process-oriented definitions. We identify three frameworks operationalising resilience: the “attributes” framework by Kruk et al. (2017), the “everyday resilience” framework by Barasa et al. (2017) and the “complex adaptive systems” framework by Blanchet et al. (2017). However, we find a mismatch between these frameworks and how the concept is assessed in 13 quantitative and 8 qualitative empirical studies. Conclusions The HSR literature has converged around a definition of resilience focusing on the system’s ability to mitigate ongoing challenges. Differences in emphasis remain, resulting in a variety of operational frameworks. The frameworks require further adaptation and testing in empirical studies to demonstrate the usefulness of “resilience” as an analytical category in HSR. Key messages There is a mismatch between conceptualisation and operationalisation of resilience in the HSR literature. Existing operational frameworks of resilience require further adaptation and testing in empirical studies to demonstrate the usefulness of “resilience” as an analytical category in HSR.

This presentation will discuss the potential for conducting economic evaluation studies in the field of migration and health, by focusing on health screening and assessment for newly arriving asylum seekers. We use three economic case studies from Germany to illustrate this potential, reflecting on the benefits of an economic approach, the contribution of modelling studies, the quality and reliability of the underlying data sources and other lessons learnt in the research process. Screening for illness among newly arriving individuals has the potential to expand access to essential services and overcome access barriers, thus improving efficiency by preventing costs of late presentations. This is demonstrated by a recent modelling study on the cost-utility of screening for depression. However, an overview of different screening policies in Germany shows that unnecessary procedures which are not supported by sound scientific evidence may lead to inefficiencies in excess of €3.1 million, which could be more effectively invested in other parts of the health system. Finally, efficiency gains could be made by assessing who benefits most from screening, and designing targeted screening approaches for these groups, as in the case of targeted screening for active tuberculosis by country of origin. We will end the presentation by reflecting on the potential role for economic evaluations health policy-making, and the challenges of communicating and translating the nuances of economic evidence into practice.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a patient-held health record (PHR) for asylum seekers on the availability of health-related information.MethodsAn explorative, cluster-randomised stepped-wedge trial with reception centres as unit of randomisation was conducted. All reception centres (n=6) in two large administrative areas in South Germany with on-site health services were included. All physicians working at these centres were invited to participate in the study. The intervention was the implementation of a PHR. The primary outcome was the prevalence of written health-related information. Secondary outcomes were the physicians’ dissatisfaction with the available written information and the prevalence of missing health-related information. All outcomes were measured at the level of patient–physician contacts by means of a standardised questionnaire, and analysed in logistic multi-level regression models.ResultsWe obtained data on 2308 patient–physician contacts. The presence of the PHR increased the availability of health-related information (adjusted OR (aOR), 20.3, 95% CI: 12.74 to 32.33), and tended to reduce missing essential information (aOR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.26) and physicians’ dissatisfaction with available information (aOR 0.5, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.04). The availability of health-related information in the post-intervention period was higher (aOR 4.22, 95% CI: 2.64 to 6.73), missing information (aOR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.42 to 1.88) and dissatisfaction (aOR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.16 to 1.14) tended to be lower compared with the pre-intervention period.ConclusionsHealthcare planners should consider introducing PHRs in reception centres or comparable facilities. Future research should focus on the impact of PHRs on clinical outcomes and on intersectoral care.Trial registrationISRCTN13212716. Registered 24 November 2016. Retrospectively registered. http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13212716

In allen deutschen Bundeslandern wird eine verpflichtende Gesundheitsuntersuchung der neu angekommenen Asylsuchenden durchgefuhrt, um die Ubertragung von Infektionskrankheiten in Aufnahmeeinrichtungen zu vermeiden. Bedingt durch die foderale Zustandigkeit der Landesbehorden, gibt es grose Unterschiede in den Regelungen hinsichtlich des Umfangs und der Durchfuhrung der Gesundheitsuntersuchung. Vergleich der Regelungen der Erstuntersuchung in den 16 Bundeslandern mit Blick auf durchgefuhrte Untersuchungen, Praventionsmasnahmen und das allgemeine Verfahren. Vergleichende Inhaltsanalyse von Dokumenten mit relevanten Angaben zur Gesundheitsuntersuchung, die im Rahmen einer bundesweiten Recherche (Juni–Oktober 2015) durch offentliche Quellen, Anfragen bei zustandigen Behorden oder Interviews mit Gesundheitsamtern zusammengestellt wurden. Im Untersuchungszeitraum lagen fur 13 Bundeslander Dokumente mit Angaben zum vorgesehenen Umfang oder Ablauf der Erstuntersuchung vor; in acht lagen Verwaltungserlasse der verantwortlichen Landesbehorden vor. Die Dokumente unterscheiden sich erheblich hinsichtlich des Umfangs und der Auswahl der durchzufuhrenden Screeningmasnahmen. Die Bundeslander lassen sich in drei Gruppen kategorisieren: A) Lander, die ihr Screening auf die bundesgesetzlichen Masnahmen beschranken, B) Lander, welche ein erweitertes Tuberkulosescreening fur Kinder/Jugendliche und Schwangere durchfuhren, und C) Lander, in denen uber die Tuberkulose hinaus verpflichtend auf weitere Erkrankungen untersucht wird. Relevante Unterschiede finden sich auch in der Festlegung der Leistungserbringer und des Kostentragers. Aus bevolkerungsmedizinischer Sicht ist die grose Varianz der Gesundheitsuntersuchungen zwischen den Landern nicht rational erklarbar. Die Indikation einiger Screeningmasnahmen bleibt teilweise unklar. Daraus ergibt sich die Notwendigkeit einer breiten Diskussion und weiterfuhrender, systematischer Analysen zur medizinischen Notwendigkeit einzelner Screeningmasnahmen mit dem Ziel, bundeseinheitliche, evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen bzw. Entscheidungshilfen zur Gesundheitsuntersuchung von Asylsuchenden zu entwickeln.

Background The UN Refugee Agency has reported that an increasing number of people are being forcibly displaced worldwide. Despite this, global health issues, especially initiatives focusing on physical and psychological conditions of refugees, are still rarely considered in medical curricula. Furthermore, there is little evidence regarding the experiences and possible related psychological strain of medical students who work with refugees. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate motivations, learning achievements and experiences, as well as psychological strain and possible protective factors, in medical students volunteering in a reception center for refugees. Methods In this prospective study using a mixed-methods approach, we applied (1) qualitative content analysis of semi-standardized interviews in a pre-post design in a subsample of n = 16 students. The aims were to analyze (1a) the students’ motivations and experiences in the reception center, and (1b) the students’ perceived learning achievement. We further administered (2) psychometric questionnaires using a cross-sectional approach to n = 62 students in order to examine (2a) the students’ psychological strain, in terms of secondary traumatization, depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life, and (2b) possible protective factors such as attachment style and sense of coherence. Results The content analysis of the students’ interviews revealed three main categories before the assignment and four main categories subsequently, displaying a broad variety of perspectives. Quantitative analysis identified that 3.2% of the students showed moderate secondary traumatization, and a correlation emerged between the number of shifts and symptom severity of secondary traumatization. The students displayed significantly reduced scores for depression and anxiety, when compared to a sample of first-year medical students. Sense of coherence was identified as a protective factor concerning secondary traumatization. Conclusion A rather small proportion of the medical students working in the reception center displayed explicit symptoms of psychological strain in terms of secondary traumatic stress. Due to their assignments, students were able to improve their cultural awareness, which they reported to be highly relevant for their future occupation. In view of increasing globalization, theoretical and practical courses on issues of flight and global health might therefore be implemented as an obligatory part of medical curricula. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12909-019-1730-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Screening asylum seekers for infectious diseases is widely performed, but economic evaluations of such are scarce. We performed a policy analysis and economic evaluation of such screening in Germany, and analysed the effect of screening policies on cost differences between federal states. Of the 16 states, screening was compulsory for tuberculosis (TB) in asylum seekers ≥ 16 years of age in all states as well as in children

In 2015, more than 890,000 asylum seekers were registered in Germany. The provision of medical and psychosocial care for asylum seekers is facing numerous obstacles. Access to health care is mostly insufficient, particularly in initial reception centres. The present article describes the development and implementation of an interdisciplinary outpatient clinic for asylum seekers at the main registration authority in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg operated by physicians of the University Hospital of Heidelberg and the local Medical Association in Heidelberg. A steering committee was appointed to plan and implement the interdisciplinary outpatient clinic. Semi-structured interviews with nine steering committee members were conducted to elucidate perceived barriers during the planning and implementation phase. The steering committee's strong personal commitment and the health authorities' impartial management were cited as the main contributing factors to the success of the implementation process. Significant barriers were seen in the funding of personnel, equipment, and language mediation as well as in legal liability and billing-related aspects. Results are discussed with a focus on financing, administrative and legal framework as well as language mediation, documentation and further matters that are essential to ensure high-quality care.

A health examination of newly arrived asylum seekers, aimed at detecting infectious diseases and preventing disease outbreaks in accommodation facilities, is mandated by national law in all German states. Due to the decentralized German federal system, different state policies are in place and lead to substantial variation in the content and implementation of the health examination.To compare health examination policies in the 16 German states with a focus on conducted tests, preventive measures and the general procedure.A comparative content analysis of policy documents addressing the health examination was conducted. Relevant documents were identified through a nationwide search (conducted June-October 2015) through public sources, inquiries at responsible authorities and interviews with representatives of public health services.In the study period, relevant policy documents for 13 states were identified, of which eight were administrative decrees of the responsible state ministries. Policies differed strongly with respect to the content of the health examination and the selection of compulsory screening measures. We identified three main groups: (A) states with compulsory screening limited to measures enshrined in federal law, (B) states with extended tuberculosis screening for children and pregnant women, and (C) states with extended mandatory screening measures for further infectious diseases beyond tuberculosis. Considerable differences were also found with regard to the implementation of the examinations, and the purchasing and re-imbursement policies.The stark heterogeneity in health examination policies between the states cannot be rationally explained from a public health perspective. The indication for certain measures remains unclear. A broad discussion of the medical necessity of screening tests, combined with further systematic analyses, is necessary in order to develop nationwide evidence-based recommendations and decision-making tools for the conduct of health examinations of asylum seekers.