Health Technology Access and Peer Support Among Digitally Engaged People Experiencing Homelessness: Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Homelessness Research
• Health Policy

Background:

• Limited understanding of digitally engaged homeless populations, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Previous research in Budapest indicated significant internet use (52.9%) and medical-related internet use (34.6%) among homeless individuals.
• A distinct subgroup of digitally engaged homeless individuals was identified (19.5%).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the resources, attitudes, and behaviors of digitally engaged homeless individuals concerning digital technology.
• To establish a foundation for health policy interventions aimed at improving healthcare access through digital health integration.
• To strengthen the digital components within the existing healthcare system for this population.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 12 in-depth, semistructured interviews in 4 homeless shelters in Budapest, Hungary (August-October 2022).
• Utilized purposive sampling with predefined inclusion criteria.
• Performed thematic analysis on interview transcripts, with 2 interviews excluded after evaluation.

Main Results:

• Four main themes emerged: attitude, access, usage patterns, and solutions for usage problems.
• Health technology use primarily involved seeking health information online (medications, active ingredients, natural remedies) and some mobile health app usage.
• Many digitally engaged individuals acted as peer support for digital issues, despite identified usage gaps and a lack of institutional support, especially for seniors.

Conclusions:

• Digitally engaged homeless individuals can serve as crucial mediators for digital health programs due to peer trust and technical skills.
• These individuals can facilitate the adoption and effectiveness of digital health services in community shelters for health management and prevention.
• Strengthening digital health initiatives within shelters, supported by these engaged individuals, holds significant promise for improving health outcomes.