Improving homeless persons' utilisation of primary care: lessons to be learned from an outreach programme in The Netherlands |
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| Authors: | Arianne MJ Elissen Arno JA Van Raak Emmy WCC Derckx Hubertus JM Vrijhoef |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University, The Netherlands;2. School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, The Netherlands;3. Foundation for Development of Quality Care in General Practice, Eindhoven, The Netherlands;4. TRANZO, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Elissen AMJ, Van Raak AJA, Derckx EWCC, Vrijhoef HJM. Improving homeless persons' utilisation of primary care: lessons to be learned from an outreach programme in The Netherlands Faced with rising homelessness, countries around the world are in need of innovative approaches to caring for those without shelter, who, more often than not, suffer from severe health problems. We conducted a case study of an innovative Dutch Primary Care for the Homeless (PCH) programme to gain insight into clients' demographic characteristics, health problems and service use, and to develop an explanation for its success in increasing the latter. Our analyses are based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. The results of the study suggest that the success of the PCH programme can be explained by the providers' pragmatism and will to adapt their mode of care provision to the behavioural patterns and needs of their homeless clients. |
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| Keywords: | homelessness health care needs outreach care programmes service utilisation adaptation of care |
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