Homeless health care: meeting the challenges of providing primary care

Andrew Davies, Lisa J. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

100 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

People experiencing homelessness have multiple complex health conditions yet are typically disengaged from primary health care services and place a significant burden on the acute health system.

Barriers preventing people who are homeless from accessing primary care can be both personal and practical and include competing needs and priorities, illness and poor health, physical access to health services, difficulty in contacting services, medication security, and the affordability of health care. Differences in social status and perceptions of being judged can lead to relationship barriers to accessing primary care.

Key solutions include prioritising access to stable housing, continuity of health care, specialised homeless general practice, hospital inreach, discharge planning and coordinated care, general practice outreach, and medical recovery centres.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)230-234
Number of pages5
JournalMedical Journal of Australia
Volume209
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Sept 2018

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