Health care for the homeless assesses the use of adapted clinical practice guidelines.
This article describes a process of evaluating and adapting existing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for homeless individuals by different healthcare providers in multiple healthcare settings across the country. Data were collected using a standardized evaluation tool in nine sites across the United States. Clinicians completed an evaluation of the CPG after every use. Most clinicians used the CPG five times. Descriptive statistics were reported on the characteristics of the clinicians, and the utility of the guidelines and written comments. Clinicians had an average of 12 years of clinical experience, 8 years of which were specifically spent working with homeless individuals. Ninety-one percent of the clinicians practiced in urban settings. The majority of clinicians felt the adapted guidelines met evaluation criteria. The major weaknesses reported the delineation of outreach and case management activities. Results did not vary by clinicians' disciplines, years of experience, or any other indicators. Clients and clinicians providing primary care to homeless individuals may benefit from utilizing Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians' Network adapted CPGs to assure quality, evidenced-based care to a vulnerable population.
Strehlow
Aaron J
AJ
UCLA School of Nursing Health Center at the Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles, California, USA. astrehlo@ucla.edu
Kline
Susan
S
Zerger
Suzanne
S
Zlotnick
Cheryl
C
Proffitt
Brenda
B
D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006302:Health Services Research; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States