Background. Access to primary healthcare remains a public health concern for international students in Quebec. Despite their legal status and contributions to the academic system, these students face multiple barriers that hinder their use of health services.
Objective. This study aims to document the main barriers to healthcare access and identify opportunities for improving institutional and community-based practices.
Methods. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining a literature review, an online survey of 85 international students, and thematic analysis of open-ended responses. The analysis was guided by Levesque et al.’s (2013) conceptual framework on access to healthcare.
Results. Nearly 67% of participants reported difficulties accessing care, mainly related to service costs, inadequate private insurance, administrative complexity, and lack of information. Telehealth acceptability was high (74%), and over 80% of respondents reported experiencing stress related to accessing healthcare.
Conclusion. The findings highlight the urgent need to adapt health services and welcoming policies to the specific needs of international students in order to promote health equity in the Quebec academic and migratory context.