Understanding primary health care experiences of homeless individuals in non-traditional settings
Ramirez, Jahanett; Petruzzi, Liana J.; Mercer, Timothy; Gulbas, Lauren E.; Sebastian, Katherine R.; Jacobs, Elizabeth A.
Why this matters
Engaging people experiencing homelessness in primary care is harder than opening a door near them. Interviews at a shelter clinic and a mobile church-based clinic found accessibility, quality, and integration helped, while perceived safety concerns and psychological barriers kept people away.
Abstract
Despite the widespread implementation of Health Care for the Homeless programs that focus on comprehensive, integrated delivery systems of health care for people experiencing homelessness, engaging and retaining people experiencing homelessness in primary care remains a challenge. The study explored clinic encounters at two sites: a shelter clinic (n=16) and a mobile church-based clinic (n=15) using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Key findings identified accessibility, quality, and integration as facilitators, while psychological capability challenges and perceived safety concerns emerged as barriers. The authors concluded that optimal care requires shared decision-making, fostering trust, ensuring continuity of care, and integrating social services.