Humility, Integration and Respect. Happy Migrant’s Day

Caring for migrant patients is both a challenge and an opportunity for Primary Care professionals—a chance to practice cultural humility and continue learning.

December 18 marks a world day dedicated to 184 million people, 2.3% of the world's population. It is Migrants' Day, a day to recognize those who live outside the country of their birth. The reasons for migration are countless, but today, the impacts of climate change, armed conflicts and economic and social inequalities in different parts of the world are specially pressing.

We all know firsthand stories like the one shared by Eman, a member of ISGlobal's Migration and Health group. These narratives shape how we view migration, bringing us closer to—or distancing us from—the collective imagination.

The conversation often shifts toward language barriers instead of language challenges, facilitators instead of mediators, public health over individual health, and individuals rather than communities

According to the latest CIS barometer, Spaniards currently perceive “immigration” as the fifth most important issue facing the country, ranking above the economic crisis or the quality of employment. This perception is fueled by the rhetoric of certain rising political parties and media outlets, which, without any real basis, portray migrants as usurpers of housing, jobs, and social benefits. These unfounded narratives spread by word of mouth, solidifying concerns that lack real evidence. Far from being a problem, migration is often the result of pressing challenges and, in many cases, a solution to others. It represents an opportunity to embrace diverse realities in our daily lives and across all aspects of society.

Cultural diversity: a personal and professional perspective

As the daughter and partner of migrants, I approach this reality with great sensitivity—it is a fundamental part of my personal history. As a family and community physician, I work daily with patients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. This experience drives my ongoing need for training to provide the best possible care and to engage in research with practical applications that improve how we work.

Caring for migrants in Primary Care

It has always been said that the healthiest and strongest migrants migrate. However, migration patterns have evolved over time. Today, entire families, very young children, older people with poorer health, and adolescents or young people who make the journey alone, with varying degrees of success, are on the move. Despite this reality, diversity has been scarcely addressed in medical education. When it is mentioned, it is often limited to discussions of infectious diseases endemic to certain regions, leaving healthcare professionals underprepared for the broader complexities of migrant health.

Studies are being carried out together with the migrant community in order to improve the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of mental health in this group

The conversation often shifts toward language barriers instead of language challenges, facilitators instead of mediators, public health over individual health, and individuals rather than communities. Perhaps the key lies in these mismatched approaches that fail to align with the resources we truly need. Research consistently shows that migrants face greater challenges in accessing healthcare. Once they do, they often receive fewer diagnoses and experience undertreatment of diagnosed conditions. These gaps become even more pronounced in the realm of mental health, where management is significantly more complex. Healthcare professionals often feel uncertain, while migrants may feel misunderstood, their struggles invalidated, and their needs unmet. For all these reasons, qualitative studies are being carried out together with the migrant community in order to improve the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of mental health in this group. By understanding the needs of migrants and enhancing the mental health training of professionals, we can foster better integration and provide more effective care for this vulnerable population.

Cultural humility and training

Healthcare professionals are also a diverse group, shaped by their own biases, experiences, knowledge, and daily realities. Practicing cultural humility enables us to relate to each other with curiosity, empathy and respect. It places patients at the center of care, fostering trust and forming the foundation of a universal and equitable health system for all. The diversity brought by migration, when integrated into society, enriches it with values that make it more welcoming and inclusive. On December 18, let us take a moment to reflect on this diversity and celebrate Migrants' Day together.