Developing an Embedded Nursing Service within a Homeless Shelter: Client’s Perspectives

Abstract

This phenomenological case study of a newly developed nursing service, embedded within a homeless shelter in the South East of England, uses semi-structured to elicit experiences and perceptions of clients within the service. Participants (n = 6) were interviewed using a semi-structured approach and identified three broad themes: impact of previous healthcare experiences, benefits of embedding healthcare within the shelter, and future service development. The study illuminates the diversity and complexity of healthcare needs of homeless people, as well as offers a unique insight into the service user’s perception of the service.

Perceptions of mobile and acute healthcare services among people experiencing homelessness

“…According to the literature, the perceptions of homeless people regarding health care services diverge, with some reporting negative, and others, positive experiences. For example, certain studies revealed that many homeless people had had horrendous experiences with health care services, expressing feelings of exclusion, rejection and loss of confidence (Warren et al., 2021). In other studies, participants felt dehumanized (Biederman & Nichols, 2014), unwanted, and worthless (Warren et al., 2021) due to their negative interactions with clinicians.…”

“…Warren et al. (2021) reported a lack of interest on the part of care providers in exploring social, emotional, and mental health illness and their links with homelessness. Other studies (Mc Conalogue et al., 2021; Yu et al., 2020) revealed that homeless people face various challenges in accessing primary care services.…”

“…Promising interventions, including street outreach (Ungpakorn & Rae, 2020) and nurse‐led clinics (Daiski, 2005; Weber, 2019), have been implemented to facilitate access to health care services. People experiencing homelessness regard these community nursing approaches favorably (Roche et al., 2017; Warren et al., 2021). To better comprehend service users’ experience of access to health care, we conducted a study in partnership with a community organization that provides outreach services through a mobile health clinic.…”

“…The phenomenological study conducted by Rae & Rees (2015) indicated that participants received inadequate care due to the hospitals' poor discharge planning, underscoring the lack of communication between health care services. Warren et al (2021) reported a lack of interest on the part of care providers in exploring social, emotional, and mental health illness and their links with homelessness. Other studies (Mc Conalogue et al, 2021;Yu et al, 2020) revealed that homeless people face various challenges in accessing primary care services.…”

Understanding and Tackling the Complex Challenges of Homelessness and Health

“…This study embeds practitioner responses and those of people accessing services. Warren [ 14 ] presents the voices of people who engaged with a newly established nurse-led support service. Finally, two reviews are included.…”