Factors associated with return visits to a homeless clinic

Area of Science:

• Primary Health Care
• Homeless Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Access to primary health care is crucial for homeless populations.
• Understanding factors influencing return visits is key for service continuity.
• Nurse-managed clinics play a vital role in addressing homeless healthcare needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine associations between homeless client characteristics and return visits to a nurse-managed primary health care clinic.
• To identify demographic and health-related factors influencing healthcare utilization patterns in the homeless population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 1,467 homeless clients.
• Data collected from 1991 to 1994.
• Logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of return visits.

Main Results:

• Only 47% of homeless clients made return visits.
• Clients with reported chronic disease, males, whites, and street-living individuals were more likely to return.
• Females, nonwhites, and those in shelters were less likely to make return visits.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities exist in healthcare return visit patterns among homeless individuals.
• Targeted interventions are needed for women, nonwhites, and those without chronic disease.
• Program planning and evaluation should prioritize vulnerable subgroups within the homeless population.