Knocking for gold. How long must I? A survey report on international students seeking healthcare in Hungary

TL;DR

This study explores the healthcare challenges faced by international students in Hungary, highlighting issues like limited information, out-of-pocket expenses, and trust in local healthcare providers.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into healthcare access for international students in Hungary, emphasizing cultural and linguistic barriers.

Findings

28.3% of students reported health deterioration after migrating to Hungary.

63% arrived with limited or no prior information on the healthcare system.

30.9% of students incurred out-of-pocket healthcare expenses despite scholarship insurance.

Abstract

Migration significantly impacts the health of international students in host countries. It has been reported in several studies that one of the main challenges for international students is gaining access to healthcare services. This study examined the experiences of international students in Hungarian universities, focusing on their self-reported health status, access to healthcare services, adequacy of services rendered, cultural sensitivity, and quality of care.

This cross-sectional study gathered responses from 476 students across major universities. However, only 440 were strictly analysed, and 436 in situations where questions under certain parameters were left unanswered.

Using a structured online survey and CART analysis with chi-squared test as goodness of fit, we examined socio demographic influences on healthcare access and the availability of culturally competent care. Key findings revealed notable health challenges, with 28.3% of students reporting health deterioration after migrating to Hungary. Approximately 63% arrived with limited or no prior information on the healthcare system, and only 35.9% had a full understanding of their entitlements to comprehensive healthcare.

Despite the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship’s insurance coverage, 30.9% of students incurred some out-of-pocket expenses, and 4.6% paid entirely for public healthcare. Trust issues also surfaced, with 36.7% placing more confidence in home-country healthcare service providers compared to 20.6% for Hungarian healthcare service providers. Issues of discrimination were implied from the data but not supported in explicit statements. These findings underscore critical policy needs, including enhanced intercultural competence, better language support, and expanded mental health services.

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