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- Title
A general practice street health service: Patient and allied service provider perspectives.
- Authors
Strange, Cecily; Fisher, Colleen; Ping-Delfos, Wendy Chan She; Arnold-Reed, Diane; Brett, Tom
- Abstract
Background and objective People who are homeless or marginalised have poor engagement with mainstream healthcare services. The aim of this study was to explore patient and staff perspectives of a street-based, primary health service, to help identify factors influencing patient access and management. Methods A qualitative study was undertaken from April to September 2016. Interviews (n = 27) explored patients' experiences of accessing healthcare services. Interviews with allied service staff (n = 5) explored referral pathways and patients' access to healthcare. Results Factors influencing patients' willingness to access primary healthcare through the street health service were identified as doctor--patient empathy, better understanding of patient circumstances, fostering of social capital, facilitating referral pathways and supporting the transition to mainstream general practice as circumstances improve. Hospital discharge planning and follow-up management were identified as gaps in the continuity of service. Discussion Ease of access provided by a street-based health service facilitates access to the healthcare system for homeless and marginalised patients.
- Subjects
MEDICAL care; SOCIAL capital; HOSPITAL admission &; discharge; GENERAL practitioners; HOMELESS persons
- Publication
Australian Journal of General Practice, 2018, Vol 47, Issue 1/2, p44
- ISSN
2208-794X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.31128/afp-05-17-4201