A Multidimensional Examination of Migrants' Experiences in Accessing Urban Healthcare Services

This study aimed to analyze the experiences of migrants in the province of Konya regarding their access to urban healthcare services from a multidimensional perspective. Access to healthcare services was evaluated in the context of communication and access to information, economic conditions, health insurance, physical and mental health conditions, and addiction and harmful habits. Within the scope of the study, which was carried out with a qualitative research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were held with 15 migrants receiving services from the Konya Karatay Enhanced Migrant Health Center and 9 healthcare workers employed at the same center. The collected data were subjected to content analysis using the NVivo 15 program. The results showed that although migrants had quantitative access to healthcare services, this access had significant inequalities in the qualitative sense. The main factors that made it difficult for migrants to utilize healthcare services in an equal and effective manner were inadequate knowledge about the healthcare system, financial difficulties, limited ownership of health insurance, and perceived discrimination. It was also found that access to mental healthcare services was highly limited, and psychosocial support mechanisms were not sufficiently utilized. The views of healthcare workers indicated the prevalence of communication problems, structural and spatial shortcomings in the provision of services, and the negative effects of financial vulnerabilities on health.