Patient-held records for undocumented immigrants: a blind spot. A systematic review of patient-held records

Objective. As a result of inadequate medical record information, the medical care for undocumented immigrants in general practice is time consuming and often unsatisfactory. The availability of medical record information might improve the medical care for undocumented immigrants. Therefore, we executed a systematic review of literature to investigate the potential benefits of a patient-held record (PHR) for undocumented immigrants. Design . We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PSYCH info and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews. Search terms were: patient-held medical records, client-held medical records, PHRs, client-held records, home-based medical record, medical passport and/or illegal immigrants, and undocumented immigrants. Inclusion criteria were: information on patient and/or doctors compliance of PHRs OR information about views of patient and/or doctors on PHRs AND age over 18 years. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of the selected articles. Results. No studies were found about undocumented immigrants and PHRs. Therefore, we decided to eliminate the search terms illegal immigrants, and undocumented immigrants, and perform a broader search about the use of PHRs in general. This search yielded 61 articles; 42 articles were excluded. Sixteen articles were screened for methodological quality: seven articles met the criteria, six quantitative studies and one qualitative study. In these studies the use and appreciation of PHRs by patients is satisfactory. The use and appreciation of the PHRs by physicians in the studies is lower than the use by patients. The most important obstacle for physicians is the time investment required. Conclusion. A PHR for undocumented immigrants seems to be appropriate because in most cases there is no other record available. However, the uncertainty of our findings is considerable. Therefore, we recommend a pilot evaluation of the use of PHRs for undocumented immigrants. In addition, a qualitative approach might be useful to solicit the views of undocumented immigrants and health care workers.

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