Accidents disrupt integration into the labour market and affect health of migrants and refugees

INTRODUCTION: Globally, migrants are exposed to hazardous working environments, frequently placing their safety and health at risk. The Danish Migrant Health Clinic identified that 11% of referred patients reported an occupational injury as the primary cause of their ill health. The aim of this study was to describe common accidents and their adverse effects in migrant patients. METHODS: From March 2018 to November 2021, we purposively sampled and included patients through the Danish Migrant Health Clinic. The inclusion criteria were qualitative descriptions of accidents defined as inadvertent events that cause significant social, psychological or physical changes at the functional level. We reviewed the health record, summarised the case descriptions and identified dominant themes. RESULTS: We included 52 patients and identified the themes: 1) Occupational accidents, 2) Psychological and cognitive consequences, 3) Racism and discrimination, 4) Occupational trauma of interpreters and 5) Social and economic detour following an accident. Accidents lead to chronic pain conditions, primarily post-traumatic stress disorder or re-traumatisation, loss of language skills and work retention challenges. Furthermore, patients with occupational accidents reported poor knowledge about legal and insurance rights. CONCLUSIONS: An accident may initiate, reproduce or accelerate poor health and a psycho-social detour for migrant patients. Workers' unions should inform migrant members about legal and insurance rights. of this subject among health professionals, unions and social workers could improve prevention interventions. FUNDING: None. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.