Undocumented and documented migrants with chronic diseases in Family Practice in the Netherlands.

Background: Undocumented migrants (UM) face many barriers in accessing healthcare. It is unknown how these affect the care of UM with chronic diseases in general practices. In the Netherlands, a General practitioner (GP) is the gatekeeper to the healthcare system and primary care provider for UM.

Objective: To get insight into GP care for chronic diseases in UM compared with documented migrants (DM).

Methods: A survey study of medical records of UM and DM in five general practices in the Netherlands with extensive experience in caring for UM. UM and DM were matched for gender, age and region of origin. Consultation rates, values of HbA1C, blood pressure, spirometry, number of referrals and medicine prescriptions were compared in all people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or asthma/ COPD.

Results: In overall, 729 migrants were included (407 UM and 322 DM). UM consulted their GP significantly less often than DM (3.24 versus 5.04 times a year). UM with cardiovascular disease had a slightly higher blood pressure (148.1 versus 140.8 mmHg), and UM with diabetes had their blood pressure checked less frequently (0.70 versus 1.95 times a year). Overall however, the differences between UM and DM with chronic diseases were small.

Conclusion: Undocumented migrants with chronic diseases in general practices in the Netherlands that are experienced in caring for UM receive to a large extent equitable care compared to documented migrants.