ABSTRACT
Homeless adults have a higher rate of morbidity and mortality than their housed counterparts. Improving the health of homeless adults is a complex problem because of the overlay of individual risk factors, social issues and lack of economic resources. Due to the increased morbidity and mortality rate in homeless adults, it is imperative to develop interventions with demonstrated efficacy that result in improved health outcomes. The purpose of this pre-post pilot study was to compare pre- and post-test scores on specific health outcomes in a group of homeless adults receiving a nurse intervention when utilising a nurse-managed clinic located in the urban core of a Midwestern city in the USA. Between September of 2004 and January 2006, 43 homeless adults completed a health survey at baseline and 2 months later that included measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), substance use and health resource use. There was a significant improvement on the post-test scores including substance use, perceived quality and availability of health care, and on two domains of HRQOL: mental health and vitality. This study provides evidence that a nursing intervention can result in improved health outcomes for adult homeless persons.
Subject(s)
Health Status Indicators , Ill-Housed Persons/statistics & numerical data , Primary Nursing/organization & administration , Urban Health Services/organization & administration , Adult , Female , Health Resources/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Ohio/epidemiology , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Pilot Projects , Primary Nursing/statistics & numerical data , Program Evaluation , Quality of Life , Self Concept , Substance-Related Disorders/nursing , Urban Health Services/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Up to 55% of the homeless population report health problems. They often use the emergency department (ED) to obtain care when the health needs are not urgent. Nurse-managed clinics have the potential to reduce nonurgent ED use and improve the health of the homeless. The purpose of this study was to establish baseline health data on homeless persons prior to attending a nurse-managed clinic.(1) This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective health survey of homeless clients at a nurse-managed clinic. A total of 110 participants completed a baseline health survey. Of these, 61% reported that prior to coming to the clinic, they used the ED as a source of health care. The most frequent medical diagnoses reported were substance use disorders, depression, back pain, hypertension, and asthma. Providing care for chronic conditions at a nurse-managed clinic has the potential to improve health and reduce use of the ED.
