La atención a la diversidad en urgencias Attention to diversity in emergency care

The immigrant population in general uses the health services less frequently than the native population. No significant differences are found between immigrants and natives in the use of emergency services. However, the perception of professionals who attend to the emergency services is that there is a greater use of these services by the immigrant population. Perhaps this is because difficulties of language and cultural understanding might require more effort and time in the care given to the immigrant patient. The doctor, who treats the immigrant population, as well as tourists and Spanish overseas voluntary workers, must become familiar with a series of pathologies, some of which might be exceptional among the native Spanish population, but which are endemic on some of the countries of origin of the immigrant population, frequently due to their lower socio-economic develop