Table 1 Observations around challenges of initial health screening in a refugee population in a rural general practice

Challenges to undertaking full health screen in Mildura, Victoria

• Cost of screening tests

•Lack of information available from previous screening

•Language barriers

•Lack of understanding of the health system

•Lack of trust of health professionals

•Patient mobility

Prevalent mental health issues

•Anxiety

•Depression

•Post-traumatic stress disorder

Strengths of the refugee health program at the clinic

•GPs and reception staff of various ethnic backgrounds (e.g. Dari, Turkish, Persian, Tamil)

•Bulk-billing of all patients

•Extended opening hours (8am-8pm, 7 days/week)

•Integrated mental health system in clinic

•Access to refugee health and infectious diseases specialists

Other issues with refugee health related to a rural setting

•Anxiety due to family separation