Health Care Utilization among Homeless-Experienced Adults Who Were Seen by a Mobile Addiction Health Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts: A Quasi-Experimental Study

The Role of Street Medicine and Mobile Clinics for Persons Experiencing Homelessness: A Scoping Review

“…A vital component of many mobile programs is providing social services [ 33 , 35 , 38 , 43 ]. The most reported social services were insurance enrollment, housing placements, and connection to food benefits such as SNAP [ 33 , 35 , 38 ].…”

“…Notably, one street medicine team helped clients obtain identification so they could engage in social programs and receive benefits [ 35 ]. Qualitative interviews of PEH in Austin, TX, reported the social services provided by a “suitcase clinic” are one of its greatest benefits [ 43 ]. In Hawaii, qualitative data also report that a street medicine team improved healthcare navigation and reduced hesitance in accessing care [ 35 ].…”

“…This is in line with other mobile programs but lower than the office-based retention rates [ 36 ]. More recently, a matched cohort compared the healthcare utilization of PEH after visiting a mobile addiction clinic or fixed site in Boston, MA [ 43 ]. Patients who visited the mobile clinic within its first year of use were compared to patients with SUD who visited a fixed site during the same time [ 43 ].…”

“…More recently, a matched cohort compared the healthcare utilization of PEH after visiting a mobile addiction clinic or fixed site in Boston, MA [ 43 ]. Patients who visited the mobile clinic within its first year of use were compared to patients with SUD who visited a fixed site during the same time [ 43 ]. No statistically significant differences in health system utilization were found following the visits [ 43 ].…”

“…Patients who visited the mobile clinic within its first year of use were compared to patients with SUD who visited a fixed site during the same time [ 43 ]. No statistically significant differences in health system utilization were found following the visits [ 43 ]. Qualitative research found that PEH receiving care at a “suitcase clinic” located within a church felt its inclusiveness and combination of both healthcare and social service agencies were vital to engagement [ 44 ].…”