Refugee Health Care Provider Resources

On this page:
Refugee Health Screening Guidance
Clinical Decision Support Tools
Forms for Health Screening
Population-specific Treatment Resources
Minnesota Civil Surgeons
University of Minnesota Global Health Program

Clinical resources for health professionals who administer and coordinate the refugee health assessment exam, including forms for health screening, population-specific medical information, and an online refugee health CME module.

Refugee Health Screening Guidance

• Minnesota Domestic Refugee Health Screening Guidance
  Guidance designed for health care providers who perform the Minnesota Initial Refugee Health Assessment exam. MDH is currently reviewing and revising these sections to align with CDC's updated guidance.
  The Minnesota Initial Refugee Health Assessment | Immunizations | Tuberculosis (TB) | Viral Hepatitis | Sexual and Reproductive Health | HIV | Intestinal Parasites | Malaria | Blood Lead | Mental Health | Working with Medical Interpreters | Glossary

Clinical Decision Support Tools

• CareRef
  An interactive web application that guides clinicians through conducting a routine post-arrival medical screening of a newly arrived refugee to the U.S.
• VaxRef
  An interactive web application that helps newcomers and clinicians translate immunization records to English. VaxRef will ask for the immunization record holder’s name, date of birth, email, and immunization history.
• Clinical Decision Support for Newcomer Health
  Order sets, documentation templates, and supporting resources developed for the management of newly arriving refugees and other newcomers.

Forms for Health Screening

An initial refugee health assessment is recommended for all primary refugees within 90 days of their arrival in Minnesota.

• Minnesota Initial Refugee Health Assessment Form (PDF) updated 10/2021
  Download, print, complete, and return this form (preferably within 30 days of screening).
• Refugee/Immigrant Health Assessment Outcome Report (PDF) updated 9/2019

Population-specific Treatment Resources

• Migrant Health Guide
  This guide from the United Kingdom is a "one stop shop" for information to support practitioners in assessing and treating migrant patients. It recognizes that these patients sometimes have health needs that are more complex than those of UK (or US) born patients. The resource covers a wide range of health issues but concentrates on the additional health concerns that should be considered for a migrant patient.
• EthnoMed
  Addresses cultural beliefs and medical issues on the health care of recent immigrants; includes clinical topics and multilingual patient education materials. Developed by Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington.
• Immigrant Child Health
  Information and resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics on providing culturally effective care. Culturally effective care should "take into account the beliefs, values, actions, customs, and unique health care needs of distinct population groups."

Minnesota Civil Surgeons

• Minnesota Civil Surgeons
  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)-designated medical providers in Minnesota who can sign off on the I-693 medical exam. Includes Civil Surgeons' Frequently Asked Questions and additional resources regarding the adjustment of status exam and immigration.

University of Minnesota Global Medicine Program

View the Introduction to Immigrant and Refugee Health Course presentations and videos from the University of Minnesota Global Medicine program.

• Effective Communication Across Language and Culture by Kevin Larsen
• Domestic Screening Guidelines for Refugees by Susan Dicker
• Immunization Issues in Immigrants and Refugees by Elizabeth Barnett
• Mental Health in Resettlement and Adjustment by Georgi Kroupin