Health system responsiveness to the mental health needs of forcibly displaced persons

Abstract

Health system responsiveness is a key measure to be considered during the assessment of health system functioning and performance and is widely used. However, research lacks short on providing a framework to assess the responsiveness of the health system to the mental health needs of forcibly displaced persons. In this chapter, a new conceptual framework is presented, guiding the assessment of health system responsiveness to the mental health needs of refugees. Methodological tools such as rapid appraisal methodology are being introduced guiding the assessment of key health system constructs, including responsiveness. The suggested conceptual framework and its methods are applied to Syrian refugees residing in the Netherlands, and initial findings are presented and discussed.