From guidelines to highlights - exploring nurses’ perceived competence in implementing the revised initial health assessment model for asylum seekers: a mixed methods study

Sep 30, 2026

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In Finland, reception center nurses conduct voluntary, free initial health assessments for asylum seekers upon arrival, and the model was recently revised through a national project. A mixed-method study analyzed Reception Centre Nurses’ Competence Survey data from 97 of 217 invited nurses, using a determinants questionnaire and open-ended questions. Results show overall high perceived competence, with lowest scores in skills, including gaps in infection control, migrant health, legal foundations, and mental-health, communication, collaboration, and health-promotion skill development.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Method

Preliminary findings

Conclusion

vi142 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.396 290 From guidelines to highlights: exploring nurses’perceived competence in implementing the revised initial health assessment model for asylum seekers: a mixed methods study Katri-Leena Mustonen1, Tomi Mäki-Opas2, Anu Castaneda1, Jussi Kauhanen2, Eero Lilja1 1Finnish Institute For Health And Welfare, Helsinki, Finland 2University of Eastern Finland 3North Savo Wellbeing Services County EP3.3, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 4, 2025, 10:05-10:25 Background: In Finland, reception center nurses conduct voluntary, free initial health assessments for asylum seekers upon arrival. The assessment model was recently revised through a national project. Despite the increasing number of asylum seekers, limited research exists on refugee health nursing and its impact. Method: This mixed-method study utilized data from the Reception Centre Nurses’ Competence Survey, collected in 2024 . A total of 217 nurses were invited in the study of which 97 participated. Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire-mp and additional open-ended questions were used to measure nurses’ competence aligned with the aims of the revised IHA model and its implementation. Concept-driven thematic analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were employed to analyze the data. Preliminary findings: Overall nurses perceived their competence as high. However, the lowest scores were observed in skills. Knowledge in areas of infection control and prevention, migrant health, and legal foundations, as well as the development of skills related to mental health, communication and collaborative skills and health promotion, were identified as essential. Additionally, the importance of open-minded attitude was emphasized. Reception centre experience improved role clarity, while educational background showed no effect; qualitative findings identified experienced public health nurses as the best fit. Conclusion: The competence of reception center nurses consists of a strong knowledge base and a broad range of skills. To enhance the 2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi143 implementation of the revised initial health assessment, targeted skills training and support are needed. The findings of this study can be used to inform nurse training and guide the planning of health services for asylum seekers. Keywords: Competence, asylum seekers, initial health assessment, nurses, nursing, implementation, behavior.

FAQs

What is the main focus of the study?

The study explores reception center nurses’ perceived competence in implementing the revised initial health assessment model for asylum seekers.

How was competence measured?

Competence was measured using data from the Reception Centre Nurses’ Competence Survey, including the Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire-mp and additional open-ended questions.

What were the key findings about nurses’ competence?

Nurses perceived their overall competence as high, but the lowest scores were in skills, with specific needs identified in infection control, migrant health, legal foundations, and mental-health and communication-related skill development.

Sep 30, 2026

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