Exploring the experiences of changes to support access to primary health care services and the impact on the quality and safety of care for homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study protocol for a qualitative mixed methods approach

International Journal for Equity in Health

Julie Draper¹  Joanne Dickinson¹  Martin Burrows²  Mat Amp²  Rachel Brennan²  Darren Ashcroft³  Tom Blakeman³  Kelly Howells³  Stephen Campbell³  Caroline Sanders³  Wan-Ley Yeung⁴  Shaun Jackson⁵ 

[1] Bolton Homeless and Vulnerable Adults Service;Groundswell;NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, 6th Floor Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, Centre for Primary Care, The University of Manchester;Salford Primary Care Together;Urban Medical Practice;

关键词: Primary care;    Homelessness;    Equality;    Covid-19;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-020-01364-4

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Despite high level of health care need amongst people experiencing homelessness, poor access is a major concern. This is sometimes due to organisational and bureaucratic barriers, but also because they often feel stigmatised and treated badly when they do seek health care. The COVID-19 pandemic and the required social distancing measures have caused unprecedented disruption and change for the organisation of primary care, particularly for people experiencing homelessness. Against this backdrop there are many questions to address regarding whether the recent changes required to deliver services to people experiencing homelessness in the context of COVID-19 will help to address or compound problems in accessing care and inequalities in health outcomes. Methods An action led and participatory research methodology will be employed to address the study objectives. Interviews with people experiencing homelessness were will be conducted by a researcher with lived experience of homelessness. Researchers with lived experience are able to engage with vulnerable communities in an empathetic, non-judgemental way as their shared experience promotes a sense of trust and integrity, which in turn encourages participation in research and may help people speak more openly about their experience. The experiences of health professionals and stakeholders delivering and facilitating care for people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic will also be explored. Discussion It is important to explore whether recent changes to the delivery of primary care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic compromise the safety of people experiencing homelessness and exacerbate health inequalities. This could have implications for how primary healthcare is delivered to those experiencing homelessness not only for the duration of the pandemic but in the future.

【 授权许可】

Unknown