Healthcare Navigation

Healthcare Navigation Toolkit

NRC-RIM partnered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to create this toolkit, which supports Afghan newcomers in making medical appointments, picking up a prescription, requesting an interpreter, and more.

Afghan newcomers arriving in the United States encounter a healthcare system that can be very different from what they are used to in Afghanistan. These tools, including videos, fact sheets, audio resources and more are translated, customizable and designed with their needs in mind.

Organizations will also find tip sheets, checklists, conversation guides, professional development opportunities and promising practices that they can use in their own programming that supports Afghan newcomers.

Featured Resources

Video Training for Newcomers

Afghan and Ukrainian new arrivals have a new tool for learning how to navigate the U.S. healthcare system. Our friends at CORE held Facebook Live events in English, Dari and Pashto to aid clients in understanding everything from what to do in an emergency to how to pick up a prescription and more. Clients who missed the live events can now view the videos on-demand.

Part 1: Learn about the different healthcare providers and services in the US.

Part 2: Learn about what to do when you have a healthcare emergency and calling 911.

Part 3: Learn about different levels of healthcare.

Commonly Requested Services and Support

This document provides information on accessing basic needs and services for refugees, immigrants, and migrants who may be ineligible or do not qualify for federal benefits. It covers various areas, including medical benefits, medical care, mental health services, dental care, nutrition assistance, and national-level services for domestic violence.

Health and Wellness Workbook

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Denver created a “Health and Wellness Workbook” to support Afghan newcomers navigating the U.S. healthcare system. This portable book includes personalized medical information, healthcare basics, local provider contacts, and patient rights.

A generalized version of IRC Denver’s workbook is available for organizations to use across the country. The bilingual workbooks have undergone extensive cultural validation and are available in Dari/English and Pashto/English.

Start with Health & Wellness Essentials and add expansions for Adult Health History, Child Health History, and Healthcare Navigation Support. Want them all? Download complete workbooks in Dari+English and Pashto+English.

Health & Wellness Essentials

Adult Health History Expansion

Child Health History Expansion

Healthcare Navigation Expansion

Language Access

I Speak Cards

Encourage clients to keep these cards in their wallet so they can easily request interpreters whenever they need it – even in an emergency.

Requesting an Interpreter

This fact sheet, available in English, Dari, and Pashto, explains why professional interpreters are important for receiving good medical care, and how to ask for one. It also explains patient rights, when to ask for an interpreter, and why it is a good idea to avoid having friends and family serve in that role.

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Prescriptions and Pharmacy

Prescription Refills and Safety

Clients can use this guide to learn how to read a prescription label and request an interpreter, and it also offers important safety tips like keeping medications away from children, keeping them in the same bottles they come in, and how to call poison control.

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How to Get a Prescription

This fact sheet explains what a prescription is, what to bring to the pharmacy, and key information about paying for medication.

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Patient Rights and Responsibilities

This fact sheet explains privacy and confidentiality, the right to an interpreter, the right to be treated fairly, and the concept of consent and patient choice. It also covers the things that patients can do to make their healthcare visit go more smoothly, like arriving on time, asking questions, and bringing in medication bottles and paperwork.

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Promising Practices