title: Primary healthcare needs and barriers to care among Calgary's homeless populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite Canada's universal healthcare system, significant barriers impede individuals experiencing homelessness from accessing health services. Furthermore, there is a paucity in the qualitative literature describing how Canadians experiencing homelessness access health care services. Our objective was to qualitatively explore perceived healthcare needs and barriers among individuals experiencing homelessness in one large Canadian city - Calgary, Alberta.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a qualitative descriptive study that included open-ended interviews and focus groups with a variety of stakeholders who are involved in healthcare among Calgary's homeless populations. These included individuals experiencing homelessness (n = 11) as well as employees from several healthcare service providers for those experiencing homelessness (n = 11). Transcripts from these interviews were thematically analyzed by two analysts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stakeholder interviews yielded several pervasive themes surrounding the health care needs of the homeless and barriers to accessing care. Some of the primary health care needs which were identified included mental health, addictions, and allied health as well as care that addresses the social determinants of health. Notably, it was difficult for many stakeholders to pinpoint specific health care priorities, as they identified that the health care needs among Calgary's homeless populations are diverse and complex, often even describing the needs as overwhelming. Types of barriers to primary care that were identified by stakeholders included: emotional, educational, geographical, financial and structural barriers, as well as discrimination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings highlight the diverse primary health care needs of Calgary's homeless populations. Despite the fact that Canada has a universal publicly funded health care system, individuals experiencing homelessness face significant barriers in accessing primary care.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room G236 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1 N4, Canada. dcampbel@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: David J T
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. braden.oneill@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Braden G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.affiliation: 1 Canadian Field Hospital, Canadian Armed Forces, Petawawa, ON, Canada. katherine.gibson@forces.gc.ca.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. thurston@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Wilfreda E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Thurston
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017144:Focus Groups; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011287:Prejudice; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D064890:Social Determinants of Health