Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis

Thurman, Whitney; Semwal, Monika; Moczygemba, Leticia R.; Hilbelink, Mark

doi:10.2196/27787

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The program provided 2500 mobile phones to eligible recipients and was administered by a charity organization and a telecommunication company. The initiative is in line with a recent study, concluding that equipped with the basic tools of smartphone technology in combination with reliable public transportation, people in homelessness can engage in activities needed to self-manage their health and meet their social needs [50]. For the women who participated in our study, having access to a phone during the pandemic was regarded as a lifeline.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Voices of women in homelessness during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: a co-created qualitative study

et al. 2023

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Background Women in homelessness face extreme health- and social inequities. It could be postulated that during societal crises, they become even more vulnerable. Thus, the aim was to explore experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic among women in homelessness. Methods Ten interviews were conducted with women in homelessness, in Stockholm, Sweden, using researcher-driven photo elicitation. The data analysis was guided by the DEPICT model for collaborative data analysis and a qualitative content analysis was performed. A collaborative reference group of women with lived experience of homelessness contributed to the research process through designing the data collection, performing the data analysis, and providing feedback during report writing. Results For women in homelessness, the COVID-19 pandemic was adding insult to injury, as it significantly affected everyday life and permeated most aspects of existence, leading to diminished interactions with others and reduced societal support. Thus, in an already dire situation, the virus amplified health- and social issues to another level. The women strived to find their balance on the shifting sands of guidelines and restrictions due to the pandemic. Adhering to the new social distancing rules and guidelines in line with the rest of society, was simply impossible when experiencing homelessness. However, for some women the pandemic was nothing but a storm in a teacup. The harsh reality continued irrespectively, living one day at a time and prioritizing provision for basic human needs. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic and homelessness can be viewed as two intersecting crises. However, the women’s aggregated experiences were greater than the sum of experiencing homelessness and meeting the threat of the virus. Gender, exposure to violence, poverty, social isolation, and substance use were additional factors that further marginalized the women during the pandemic. To rebuild a better and more sustainable post-pandemic future for all, global commitment to ending homelessness is crucial. In addition, addressing social determinants of health must be the number one health intervention.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Voices of women in homelessness during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: a co-created qualitative study

et al. 2023

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“…One-third of the participants reported no internet use in the past 3 months [ 29 ]. In 2021, Thurman et al [ 30 ] analyzed feasibility studies related to mHealth interventions among people experiencing homelessness and found that 52% of the participants (n=31) reported having a personal cell phone, and of those with phones at baseline, the majority (87%) reported that their phones were capable of SMS text messaging, picture messaging, and mobile app use.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Technology Access and Health-Related Internet Use Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Hungary: Quantitative Survey

Radó¹,

Girasek²,

Békási³

et al. 2022

J Med Internet Res

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Background In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of digital technology for personal health and well-being. Previous research has revealed that these technologies might provide vulnerable populations, including those who are homeless, better access to health services and thus a greater chance of more personalized care. Objective However, little is known about the relationship between technology and health among people experiencing homelessness in Central and Eastern Europe. This study is part of a series of studies by the Digital Health Research Group at Semmelweis University (Budapest, Hungary) in cooperation with the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta; it aims to assess the existing technological resources available for the homeless population and their health-related internet use characteristics to set the ground for potential health policy interventions, enabling better access to health services by strengthening the digital components of the existing health care system. Methods Between April 19, 2021, and August 11, 2021, a total of 662 people from 28 institutions providing social services for people experiencing homelessness in Budapest, Hungary, were surveyed about their access to digital tools and internet use patterns. For selected questions, the responses of a representative sample of the Hungarian population were used for comparison as the reference group. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables affecting internet use for health-related reasons. Results The results demonstrated a considerable level of internet use in the homeless population; 52.9% (350/662) of the respondents used the internet frequently compared with 81.3% (1220/1500) of the respondents in the reference group. Among the homeless group, 69.6% (461/662) of the respondents reported mobile phone ownership, and 39.9% (264/662) of the respondents added that it had a smartphone function. Moreover, 11.2% (70/662) of the respondents had already used a health mobile app, and 34.6% (229/662) of the respondents had used the internet for medical purposes. On the basis of these characteristics, we were able to identify a broadly defined, digitally engaged group among people experiencing homelessness (129/662, 19.5%). This subpopulation was inclined to benefit from digitalization related to their personal health. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that internet use for health reasons was more significant for younger respondents, women, those with higher levels of education, and those with no chronic conditions. Conclusions Although compared with the general population, health-related internet use statistics are lower, our results show that the idea of involving homeless populations in the digital health ecosystem is viable, especially if barriers to access are systematically reduced. The results show that digital health services have great promise as another tool in the hands of community shelters for keeping homeless populations well ingrained in the social infrastructure as well as for disease prevention purposes.

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“…This aligns with the importance of providing self-management support to homeless people affected by chronic diseases [ 49 ]. Mobile technology increases access to multiple resources, which not only facilitates self-management but also responds to social needs [ 50 ]. Therefore, it is possible that smartphones and mobile apps, especially those that include reminders and daily trackers, have the potential to increase YEH outreach and engagement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Technology to Provide Mental Health Services to Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Scoping Review

Lal¹,

Elias²,

Sieu³

et al. 2023

J Med Internet Res

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Background There is growing interest in using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve access to mental health services for youth experiencing homelessness (YEH); however, limited efforts have been made to synthesize this literature. Objective This study aimed to review the research on the use of ICTs to provide mental health services and interventions for YEH. Methods We used a scoping review methodology following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The results are reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). A systematic search was conducted from 2005 to 2021 in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Maestro and in ProQuest Thesis and Dissertations, Papyrus, Homeless Hub, and Google Scholar for gray literature. Studies were included if participants’ mean age was between 13 and 29 years, youth with mental health issues were experiencing homelessness or living in a shelter, ICTs were used as a means of intervention, and the study provided a description of the technology. The exclusion criteria were technology that did not allow for interaction (eg, television) and languages other than French or English. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative approaches. Two reviewers were involved in the screening and data extraction process in consultation with a third reviewer. The data were summarized in tables and by narrative synthesis. Results From the 2153 abstracts and titles screened, 12 were included in the analysis. The most common types of ICTs used were communication technologies (eg, phone, video, and SMS text messages) and mobile apps. The intervention goals varied widely across studies; the most common goal was reducing risky behaviors, followed by addressing cognitive functioning, providing emotional support, providing vital resources, and reducing anxiety. Most studies (9/11, 82%) focused on the feasibility of interventions. Almost all studies reported high levels of acceptability (8/9, 89%) and moderate to high frequency of use (5/6, 83%). The principal challenges were related to technical problems such as the need to replace phones, issues with data services, and phone charging. Conclusions Our results indicate the emerging role of ICTs in the delivery of mental health services to YEH and that there is a high level of acceptability based on early feasibility studies. However, our results should be interpreted cautiously, considering the limited number of studies included in the analysis and the elevated levels of dropout. There is a need to advance efficacy and effectiveness research in this area with larger and longer studies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061313

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Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis

Cited by 14 publications

References 42 publications

Voices of women in homelessness during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: a co-created qualitative study

Voices of women in homelessness during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: a co-created qualitative study

Digital Technology Access and Health-Related Internet Use Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Hungary: Quantitative Survey

The Use of Technology to Provide Mental Health Services to Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Scoping Review

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