Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
Although street medicine is a rapidly growing field in the United States, existing street medicine programs have rarely been studied collectively, limiting our understanding of the nature, scope, and range of street medicine programs in the U.S.
Findings/Key points
Results show that there is a high degree of variability among the structure, operations, and scope of care of street medicine programs. However, consistent among street medicine programs is the adoption of a patient-centered approach to care and the use of harm-reduction principles. Street medicine programs are also highly engaged with community partners and affiliate organizations that work in their local and regional areas. Because street medicine programs often serve as a bridge between formal healthcare entities and people experiencing homelessness, street medicine offers a strategy for reconnecting individuals to vital healthcare services.
Design/methods
Qualitative interviews were conducted with representatives of 13 programs from across the U.S. to develop a broad characterization of street medicine programs.
