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Optimising Access to Healthcare for Patients Experiencing Homelessness in Hospital Emergency Departments

Author

Listed:
  • Jane Currie

    (School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia)

  • Amanda Stafford

    (Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA 6000, Australia)

  • Jennie Hutton

    (Emergency Department, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia
    Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Lisa Wood

    (Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA 6061, Australia)

Abstract

The ED is often the first and sometimes the only place where people experiencing homelessness seek medical assistance. While access to primary healthcare is a preferable and more cost-effective alternative to ED, for many reasons, people experiencing homelessness are much less likely to have a regular General Practitioner compared to those living in stable accommodation. Drawing on a growing body of emergency care and homelessness literature and practice, we have synthesised four potential interventions to optimise access to care when people experiencing homelessness present to an ED. Although EDs are in no way responsible for resolving the complex health and social issues of their local homeless population, they are a common contact point and therefore present an opportunity to improve access to healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane Currie & Amanda Stafford & Jennie Hutton & Lisa Wood, 2023. "Optimising Access to Healthcare for Patients Experiencing Homelessness in Hospital Emergency Departments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2424-:d:1050878
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Srebnik, D. & Connor, T. & Sylla, L., 2013. "A pilot study of the impact of housing first-supported housing for intensive users of medical hospitalization and sobering services," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(2), pages 316-321.
    2. McInnes, D.K. & Petrakis, B.A. & Gifford, A.L. & Rao, S.R. & Houston, T.K. & Asch, S.M. & O'Toole, T.P., 2014. "Retaining homeless veterans in outpatient care: A pilot study of mobile phone text message appointment reminders," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(S4), pages 588-594.
    3. Amanda Stafford & Lisa Wood, 2017. "Tackling Health Disparities for People Who Are Homeless? Start with Social Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Shannen Vallesi & Matthew Tuson & Andrew Davies & Lisa Wood, 2021. "Multimorbidity among People Experiencing Homelessness—Insights from Primary Care Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.
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