Further research needs Further research is required to better understand and respond to the health care needs of refugees. Ongoing investigation of the health issues that confront refugee populations is critical. Issues such as access to care and how refugees use health services are also poorly understood and require further study. Efforts are underway to create a national research network of refugee health care clinics across the country, in which we plan to pool data to gain a more comprehensive view of the health conditions of refugee claimants, government-assisted refugees, and privately-sponsored refugees across Canada. We also aim to study a wider variety of health conditions, including other chronic diseases and mental health. Additionally, we are interested in exploring how refugee newcomers access the health care system and their longterm health outcomes. Overall, this research aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of health care for refugee newcomers to improve their overall wellbeing and longer-term integration in their new home in Canada. Through these efforts, health professionals will have more information that will help them better serve refugee populations.
Dr. Meb Rashid is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine and a family doctor and Medical Director of the Crossroads Clinic at Women’s College Hospital Dr. Vanessa Redditt is a Lecturer at the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine and a family doctor at the Crossroads Clinic at Women’s College Hospital 80 | Chapter 14