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Latimer A, Pope ND, Lin CY, Kang J, Sasdi O, Wu JR, Moser DK, Lennie T. Adapting the serious illness conversation guide for unhoused older adults: a rapid qualitative study. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:153. [PMID: 38886741 PMCID: PMC11181539 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01485-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults experiencing homelessness (OAEH) age quickly and die earlier than their housed counterparts. Illness-related decisions are best guided by patients' values, but healthcare and homelessness service providers need support in facilitating these discussions. The Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG) is a communication tool to guide discussions but has not yet been adapted for OAEH. METHODS We aimed to adapt the SICG for use with OAEH by nurses, social workers, and other homelessness service providers. We conducted semi-structured interviews with homelessness service providers and cognitive interviews with OAEH using the SICG. Service providers included nurses, social workers, or others working in homeless settings. OAEH were at least 50 years old and diagnosed with a serious illness. Interviews were conducted and audio recorded in shelters, transitional housing, a hospital, public spaces, and over Zoom. The research team reviewed transcripts, identifying common themes across transcripts and applying analytic notetaking. We summarized transcripts from each participant group, applying rapid qualitative analysis. For OAEH, data that referenced proposed adaptations or feedback about the SICG tool were grouped into two domains: "SICG interpretation" and "SICG feedback". For providers, we used domains from the Toolkit of Adaptation Approaches: "collaborative working", "team", "endorsement", "materials", "messages", and "delivery". Summaries were grouped into matrices to help visualize themes to inform adaptations. The adapted guide was then reviewed by expert palliative care clinicians for further refinement. RESULTS The final sample included 11 OAEH (45% Black, 61 ± 7 years old) and 10 providers (80% White, 8.9 ± years practice). Adaptation themes included changing words and phrases to (1) increase transparency about the purpose of the conversation, (2) promote OAEH autonomy and empowerment, (3) align with nurses' and social workers' scope of practice regarding facilitating diagnostic and prognostic awareness, and (4) be sensitive to the realities of fragmented healthcare. Responses also revealed training and implementation considerations. CONCLUSIONS The adapted SICG is a promising clinical tool to aid in the delivery of serious illness conversations with OAEH. Future research should use this updated guide for implementation planning. Additional adaptations may be dependent on specific settings where the SICG will be delivered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Latimer
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
| | - Natalie D Pope
- College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Chin-Yen Lin
- College of Nursing, University of Auburn, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - JungHee Kang
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Olivia Sasdi
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jia-Rong Wu
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Debra K Moser
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Terry Lennie
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Eshun E, Burke O, Do F, Maciver A, Mathur A, Mayne C, Mohamed Jemseed AA, Novak L, Siddique A, Smith E, Tapia-Stocker D, FitzGerald A. Exploring the Role of Rehabilitation Medicine within an Inclusion Health Context: Examining a Population at Risk from Homelessness and Brain Injury in Edinburgh. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:769. [PMID: 38929015 PMCID: PMC11203637 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
People experiencing homelessness are at risk from a number of comorbidities, including traumatic brain injury, mental health disorders, and various infections. Little is known about the rehabilitation needs of this population. This study took advantage of unique access to a specialist access GP practice for people experiencing homelessness and a local inclusion health initiative to explore the five-year period prevalence of these conditions in a population of people experiencing homelessness through electronic case record searches and to identify barriers and facilitators to healthcare provision for this population in the context of an interdisciplinary and multispecialist inclusion health team through semi-structured interviews with staff working in primary and secondary care who interact with this population. The five-year period prevalence of TBI, infections, and mental health disorders was 9.5%, 4%, and 22.8%, respectively. Of those who had suffered a brain injury, only three had accessed rehabilitation services. Themes from thematic analysis of interviews included the impact of psychological trauma, under-recognition of the needs of people experiencing homelessness, resource scarcity, and the need for collaborative and adaptive approaches. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data suggests a potential role for rehabilitation medicine in inclusion health initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Eshun
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Astley Ainslie Hospital, NHS Lothian, 133 Grange Loan, Edinburgh EH9 2HL, UK;
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Orla Burke
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Florence Do
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Angus Maciver
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Anushka Mathur
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Cassie Mayne
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Aashik Ahamed Mohamed Jemseed
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Levente Novak
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Anna Siddique
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Eve Smith
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - David Tapia-Stocker
- Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK (A.A.M.J.)
| | - Alasdair FitzGerald
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Astley Ainslie Hospital, NHS Lothian, 133 Grange Loan, Edinburgh EH9 2HL, UK;
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Christian NJ, Havlik J, Tsai J. The Use of Mobile Medical Units for Populations Experiencing Homelessness in the United States: A Scoping Review. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:1474-1487. [PMID: 38528232 PMCID: PMC11169337 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08731-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
With annual point-in-time counts indicating a rise in unsheltered homelessness in the United States, much attention has been paid to how to best provide care to this population. Mobile medical units (MMUs) have been utilized by many programs. However, little is known regarding the evidence behind their effectiveness. A scoping review is conducted of research on MMU provision of medical services for populations experiencing homelessness in the USA to examine the extent and nature of research activity, summarize available evidence, and identify research gaps in the existing literature. Following guidelines for scoping reviews, PubMed and Google Scholar were used to identify an initial 294 papers published from January 1, 1980, to May 1, 2023, using selected keywords, which were distilled to a final set of 50 studies that met eligibility criteria. Eligible articles were defined as those that pertain to the provision of healthcare (inclusive of dental, vision, and specialty services) to populations experiencing homelessness through a MMU in the United States and have been published after peer review. Of the 50 studies in the review, the majority utilized descriptive (40%) or observational methods (36%), with 4 review and 8 controlled studies and no completed randomized controlled trials. Outcome measures utilized by studies include MMU services provided (58%), patient demographics (34%), health outcomes (16%), patient-centered measures (14%), healthcare utilization (10%) and cost analysis (6%). The studies that exist suggest MMUs can facilitate effective treatment of substance use disorders, provision of primary care, and services for severe mental illness among people experiencing homelessness. MMUs have potential to provide community-based healthcare services in settings where homeless populations reside, but the paucity of randomized controlled trials indicates further research is needed to understand if MMUs are more effective than other care delivery models tailored to populations experiencing homelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholaus J Christian
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John Havlik
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jack Tsai
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Homeless Programs Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA.
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Booth RG, Dasgupta M, Forchuk C, Shariff SZ. Prevalence of dementia among people experiencing homelessness in Ontario, Canada: a population-based comparative analysis. Lancet Public Health 2024; 9:e240-e249. [PMID: 38553143 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(24)00022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive decline in people experiencing homelessness is an increasingly recognised issue. We compared the prevalence of dementia among people experiencing homelessness to housed individuals in the general population and those living in low-income neighbourhoods. METHODS We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional, comparative analysis using linked health-care administrative data from Ontario, Canada. We included individuals aged 45 years or older on Jan 1, 2019, who visited hospital-based ambulatory care (eg, emergency department), were hospitalised, or visited a community health centre in 2019; and identified people experiencing homelessness if they had one or more health-care records with an indication of homelessness or unstable housing. Prevalence of dementia was ascertained as of Dec 31, 2019, using a validated case definition for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia that was modified to include diagnoses made at a community health centre. Poisson models were used to generate estimates of prevalence. Estimates were compared with Ontarians that accessed any of the same health-care services over the same time, overall (general population group), and among those who were in the lowest quintile of area-based neighbourhood income (low-income group). FINDINGS 12 863 people experiencing homelessness, 475 544 people in the low-income comparator group, and 2 273 068 people in the general population comparator group were included in the study. Dementia prevalence was 68·7 per 1000 population among people experiencing homelessness, 62·6 per 1000 population in the low-income group, and 51·0 per 1000 population in the general population group. Descriptively, prevalence ratios between people experiencing homelessness and the comparator groups were highest within the ages of 55-64 years and 65-74 years in both sexes, ranging from 2·98 to 5·00. After adjusting for age, sex, geographical location of residence (urban vs rural), and health conditions associated with dementia, the prevalence ratio of dementia among people experiencing homelessness was 1·71 (95% CI 1·60-1·82) compared with the low-income group and 1·90 (1·79-2·03) compared with the general population group. INTERPRETATION People experiencing homelessness experience a high burden of dementia compared with housed populations in Ontario. Findings suggest that people experiencing homelessness might experience dementia at younger ages and could benefit from the development of proactive screening and housing interventions. FUNDING The Public Health Agency of Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Booth
- ICES Western, London, ON, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Monidipa Dasgupta
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl Forchuk
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Salimah Z Shariff
- ICES Western, London, ON, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Blumberg MJ, Petersson AM, Jones PW, Jones AA, Panenka WJ, Leonova O, Vila-Rodriguez F, Lang DJ, Barr AM, MacEwan GW, Buchanan T, Honer WG, Gicas KM. Differential sensitivity of intraindividual variability dispersion and global cognition in the prediction of functional outcomes and mortality in precariously housed and homeless adults. Clin Neuropsychol 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38444068 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2024.2325167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine cognitive intraindividual variability (IIV) dispersion as a predictor of everyday functioning and mortality in persons who are homeless or precariously housed. METHOD Participants were 407 community-dwelling adults, followed for up to 13 years. Neurocognition was assessed at baseline and IIV dispersion was derived using a battery of standardized tests. Functional outcomes (social, physical) were obtained at baseline and last follow-up. Mortality was confirmed with Coroner's reports and hospital records (N = 103 deaths). Linear regressions were used to predict current social and physical functioning from IIV dispersion. Repeated measures Analysis of Covariance were used to predict long-term change in functioning. Cox regression models examined the relation between IIV dispersion and mortality. Covariates included global cognition (i.e. mean-level performance), age, education, and physical comorbidities. RESULTS Higher IIV dispersion predicted poorer current physical functioning (B = -0.46 p = .010), while higher global cognition predicted better current (B = 0.21, p = .015) and change in social functioning over a period of up to 13 years (F = 4.23, p = .040). Global cognition, but not IIV dispersion, predicted mortality in individuals under 55 years old (HR = 0.50, p = .013). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that indices of neurocognitive functioning (i.e. IIV dispersion and global cognition) may be differentially related to discrete dimensions of functional outcomes in an at-risk population. IIV dispersion may be a complimentary marker of emergent physical health dysfunction in precariously housed adults and may be best used in conjunction with traditional neuropsychological indices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna M Petersson
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Paul W Jones
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Andrea A Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - William J Panenka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Olga Leonova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Donna J Lang
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Alasdair M Barr
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - G William MacEwan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tari Buchanan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kristina M Gicas
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Canada
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Crooks J, Flemming K, Shulman C, Casey E, Hudson B. Involving people with lived experience of homelessness in palliative and end of life care research: key considerations from experts in the field. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38291483 PMCID: PMC10826236 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-024-00549-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Co-production of research aims to include people with lived experience of a phenomena throughout the research process. People experiencing homelessness often experience advance ill-health at a young age, yet access palliative care services at a disparately low rate to the level of palliative care need. The voices of people experiencing homelessness are infrequently heard throughout palliative care research, despite the complexities and intricacies of the area. AIM To explore the experiences of experts in the field to identify key context considerations for involving people with lived experience of homelessness in palliative and end of life care research. METHODS Qualitative study comprising two data collection streams: interviews with professionals with experience of involving people experiencing homelessness in their work, and focus groups with people with lived experience (PWLE) of homelessness. Data were analysed using iterative, reflexive thematic analysis. Patient and Public Involvement contributors gave feedback on themes. RESULTS A total of 27 participants took part in semi-structured interviews (N = 16; professionals) or focus groups (N = 11; PWLE homelessness). Key considerations of involving people experiencing homelessness in palliative and end of life care research were developed into four key themes: complexity of lived experience of homelessness; representation of homelessness within experts by experience; professionalising lived experience; and methods for involvement. CONCLUSIONS Involvement of people with lived experience of homelessness is important in developing palliative care research. This paper begins to outline some contextual considerations for promoting involvement in a complex and intricate field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caroline Shulman
- Pathway, London, UK
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Briony Hudson
- Marie Curie, London, UK
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
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Speck C, Amberg I, Deichmann A, Keil L, Pauer M, Kolbe C, Schrader K. Frailty of Homeless People. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 120:677-678. [PMID: 37937542 PMCID: PMC10644956 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Speck
- Elisabeth-Straßenambulanz, Caritasverband Frankfurt e.V. (ESA), Frankfurt am Main, und Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
| | - Ina Amberg
- Elisabeth-Straßenambulanz, Caritasverband Frankfurt e.V. (ESA), Frankfurt am Main, und Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
| | - Ailina Deichmann
- Elisabeth-Straßenambulanz, Caritasverband Frankfurt e.V. (ESA), Frankfurt am Main, und Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
| | - Lena Keil
- Elisabeth-Straßenambulanz, Caritasverband Frankfurt e.V. (ESA), Frankfurt am Main, und Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
| | - Maren Pauer
- Elisabeth-Straßenambulanz, Caritasverband Frankfurt e.V. (ESA), Frankfurt am Main, und Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
| | - Christian Kolbe
- Elisabeth-Straßenambulanz, Caritasverband Frankfurt e.V. (ESA), Frankfurt am Main, und Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
| | - Kathrin Schrader
- Elisabeth-Straßenambulanz, Caritasverband Frankfurt e.V. (ESA), Frankfurt am Main, und Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
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