Transnational Healthcare: Conceptual Understanding for International and Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

Transnational healthcare is a common practice among immigrants and migrants who often seek healthcare services across borders. Despite its prevalence, there is no universally accepted definition of transnational healthcare within the existing literature, which complicates understanding and collaboration within global healthcare.

Objective: This concept analysis aimed to clarify the definition of transnational healthcare and provide a structured conceptual framework for this practice.Methods/methodology: Methods: Using Walker and Avant's (2019) systematic framework for concept analysis, we began with an initial search of online dictionaries to identify terms related to transnational healthcare. We then conducted a comprehensive literature review in the Social Science Citation Index (Clarivate), PsycInfo, and CINAHL databases. The DistillerSR software facilitated collaborative screening and review, allowing researchers to identify relevant articles efficiently.Results: Results: From an initial 390 articles screened by title and abstract, 50 articles were reviewed in full, leading to 40 articles included in the final analysis. We define transnational healthcare as a distinctive practice by which individuals and families residing outside their home country seek healthcare from their country of origin through both travel and non-travel mechanisms. This analysis details defining attributes, case examples, antecedents, consequences, empirical indicators, and cultural factors associated with transnational healthcare.Conclusions, implications, and curiosities: Conclusions and Implications for Interprofessional Collaboration: Establishing a clear definition of transnational healthcare is critical to understanding the health disparities faced by migrant populations. An explicit framework equips healthcare professionals across disciplines to recognize and address barriers to healthcare access that migrants experience. By fostering interprofessional collaboration and applying migrant-centred care, this understanding can guide the development of inclusive health policies and strategies to deliver quality care for transnational populations.