274763 Building a street medicine movement: Rationale and background

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 2:30 PM - 2:50 PM

Jim Withers, MD , Medical Director, Street Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
     
In this section of the session, the presenter will briefly review the 20 year history of what is now known as street medicine in the United States. The fundamental rationale for this model of health care delivery and the defining characteristics of its practice will be described. The relative benefits of the street medicine approach in terms of effectiveness, philosophical implications and community benefits will be discussed as well as an update on how the street medicine model is being replicated both within the United States and abroad.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Describe the rationale, historical development and scope of street medicine practice in the United States.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in the practice and development of the field of Street Medicine for the past 20 years, having founded the successful local organization, Operation Safety Net in Pittsburgh,PA as well as the international organization, the Street Medicine Institute. I have given over 100 presentations on the subject material nationally and internationally as well as created manuals and trainings on the subject. I have published several articles on the specific material.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4290.0: Street medicine: Novel approaches to treating individuals who are homeless and hard-to-reach