Recorded presentation

Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, Department of Community Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, 401-463-7566, jjmartins@aol.com

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the health care experiences of homeless people. The homeless population is vulnerable and has many obstacles when attempting to access health care. Studies have shown that homeless existence compromises physical health and that the stigma of being homeless creates a barrier to health care for the homeless. Method: Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method was used for this investigation. The homeless person described the health care experience first hand. A purposive sample of 15 homeless adults were interviewed. Their interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, analyzed for significant statements and formulated meanings. Results: The eight themes that emerged from the analysis of the formulated meanings were (1) lack of resources to be healthy, (2) putting off health care until a crisis arises, (3) social triaging in health care services, (4) feeling labeled and stigmatized, (5) surviving a non-health care system for the homeless, (6) being treated with disrespect, (7) feeling invisible to health care providers, and (8) developing underground resourcefulness. Conclusions: The homeless people who participated in this study were found to develop survival strategies to respond to their marginalized and oppressed status. Although there were themes that described feelings of being labeled and invisible, there were also descriptions of being resourceful including “underground resourcefulness” to survive on the streets. Implications: The findings provide increased awareness and understanding of the homeless person’s health care experiences from the homeless persons’ perspective. This knowledge may be used by public health nurses to guide emancipatory nursing actions.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe experiences of homeless people with the health care system.
• Identify access and utilization problems for the homeless person.
• Develop public health strategies that recognize the strengths of vulnerable populations.

Keywords: Homeless Health Care, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation