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The Mantra of ‘Do No Harm’ in International Healthcare Responses to Refugee People

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An Uncertain Safety

Abstract

In the context of refugee movements as a result of a proliferation of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, the role of international organisations in responding to healthcare needs is crucial. The ethical principle of ‘do no harm’ is oft-repeated but begs an examination of how power and interest may manifest in the attempts to develop and provide appropriate healthcare for refugee people and potentially lead to harm. This chapter examines these issues and identifies key tasks for those responsible for funding, developing and delivering healthcare for refugee people, to ensure the principle of ‘do no harm’ is not an empty mantra.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Psychology, University of East London, London, UK

    Nimisha Patel

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  1. Nimisha Patel
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Correspondence to Nimisha Patel .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. World Psychiatric Association Scientific Section, Psychological Aspects of Persecution and Torture, Geneva, Switzerland

    Thomas Wenzel

  2. PsyQ/Parnassia Group, Rosmalen/Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Boris Drožđek

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Patel, N. (2019). The Mantra of ‘Do No Harm’ in International Healthcare Responses to Refugee People. In: Wenzel, T., Drožđek, B. (eds) An Uncertain Safety. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72914-5_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72914-5_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72913-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72914-5

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