A Localized Home-based Health Care Delivery Model for Refugees in Jordan

Authors

  • Salim Suleiman
  • Matthew Nance
  • Daniel W O'Neill

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v5i2.222

Keywords:

Refugees, Home Based, primary health care, Jordan, Churches

Abstract

Interprofessional teams delivering home-based care hold promise as an effective model for vulnerable populations, but examples of good practice are limited.  This case study presents the initial evaluation of a contextualized application of home-based medical care initiated from the faith community in Jordan toward Syrian and Iraqi refugees with constrained access to resources.

Reflexive responses to human need by local churches became the basis for home-based medical outreach. Heavily dependent on volunteers, these church-based teams are selected and trained to meet specific needs, inter-professional partnerships were created through networking, and electronic medical records are deployed to facilitate communication and follow-up.

The program’s standards of operation are delineated, and a program description is explained which clarifies volunteer selection, training, faith inspiration, communication, continuity, inter-professional partnerships, and addresses obstacles of care.  Based on subjective collective observations of team members, the advantages of the model in practice are reported, along with lessons learned.  These include dignity promotion, contextualization of health in the home, relationship development, inter-faith communication, inter-professional partnerships created through networking with local health professionals of other faiths, and other NGOs. Limitations of the model, and potential application in other contexts concludes the case study. 

Author Biographies

Salim Suleiman

MD, MRCPCH, Pediatrician

Matthew Nance

M.A, Johnson University, PHD candidate Oxford Centre for Mission Studies

Daniel W O'Neill

MD, MA(Th) Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Managing Editor of Christian Journal for Global Health, and co-moderator of the Evidence Working Group of the Moral and Spiritual Imperative.

 

References

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Published

2018-09-05

How to Cite

Suleiman, S., Nance, M., & O’Neill, D. W. (2018). A Localized Home-based Health Care Delivery Model for Refugees in Jordan. Christian Journal for Global Health, 5(2), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v5i2.222