Course: How Can We Improve Surgical Care of Patients Who Are Homeless?
CME Credits: 1.00
Released: 2022-07-06
Homelessness is a national crisis. In the US, 580,466 people experienced homelessness on 1 night in 2020, up by 2.2% from 2019. Compared with housed individuals, unhoused people have higher rates of chronic health conditions and mental illness, are hospitalized younger, and face barriers to obtaining adequate primary and preventive health care. To date, much of the scientific literature has focused on the medical and psychiatric care of the homeless population, with little research performed to guide surgical teams in tailoring surgical care and ensuring equitable delivery to the unhoused. Housing status undoubtedly affects surgical management, from preoperative assessment and preparation to intraoperative decision-making to postoperative care and rehabilitation (). As homelessness rates rise, equipping surgeons with the tools to provide equitable, patient-centered care for this vulnerable population will be vital.
To identify the key insights or developments described in this article
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