Living libraries: Nurse integration in interprofessional homeless health care team

Abstract

Background Despite an increase in national health care service utilization, entry into the health care system remains inequitable. This disparity in health care access disproportionately affects those experiencing homelessness. Because the homeless population faces significant financial and nonfinancial barriers, health care system engagement with these individuals must be reconsidered. Objective This article will describe the piloting of an interprofessional model within an urban library to address barriers to health care access that homeless individuals face. Design The library's unique status as a community hub presents an opportunity for partnership in addressing this population's health care access issues. This community‐based model is the first recorded to utilize three distinct professions—nursing, social work, and library science—in a public library. Results and Conclusions The implementation of this pilot project resulted in a high retention rate of referrals to community health services for those unstably housed and facilitated a system of warm transfers. Although opportunities to improve generalizability exist, this initiative sets the stage for discussion around co‐location of health and social services in a nontraditional community‐based setting to achieve equitable access to health care.

Community-informed, integrated, and coordinated care through a community-level model: A narrative synthesis on community hubs

“…There were 170 duplicate records that were removed; after title, abstract, and full-text screening, 152 records were excluded, and 18 records were eligible for inclusion (n = 18) (Figure 1). These records were published between 2012 and 2020, and the records reflected community-level models of care in the following countries: United Kingdom (n = 7, 38.8%), 2,16,[25][26][27][28][29] United States (n = 4, 22.2%), 4,5,30,31 South Africa (n = 3, 16.6%), [32][33][34] Canada (n = 2, 11.1%), 35,36 Australia (n = 1, 5.5%), 37 and Peru (n = 1, 5.5%) 38 (Table 1). Through our quality appraisal, we found 4 studies that were low quality (n = 4, 22.2%), 25,26,31,37 5 studies that were moderate quality (n = 5, 27.7%), 2,4,30,33,35 and 9 studies that were high quality (n = 9, 50%).…”

“…These records were published between 2012 and 2020, and the records reflected community-level models of care in the following countries: United Kingdom (n = 7, 38.8%), 2,16,[25][26][27][28][29] United States (n = 4, 22.2%), 4,5,30,31 South Africa (n = 3, 16.6%), [32][33][34] Canada (n = 2, 11.1%), 35,36 Australia (n = 1, 5.5%), 37 and Peru (n = 1, 5.5%) 38 (Table 1). Through our quality appraisal, we found 4 studies that were low quality (n = 4, 22.2%), 25,26,31,37 5 studies that were moderate quality (n = 5, 27.7%), 2,4,30,33,35 and 9 studies that were high quality (n = 9, 50%). 5,16,[27][28][29]32,34,36,38 Community hubs were primarily found in the context of community-based centres or clinics (n = 9, 50%); 2,25,26,28,29,[31][32][33][34] however, schools (n = 3, 16.6%),…”

“…Community hubs were primarily found in the context of community-based centres or clinics (n = 9, 50%); 2,25,26,28,29,31-34 however, schools (n = 3, 16.6%), 30,35,38 hospitals (n = 2, 11.1%), 16,27 libraries (n = 2, 11.1%), 4,36 early childhood education centres (n = 1, 5.5%), 37 and corner stores (n = 1, 5.5%) 5 were locations that also housed community hubs. Community hubs were centrally located and easily accessible, and members of the community could often connect with others and access services and supports relevant to their health needs and goals.…”

“…[1][2][3] Community hubs have been described in schools, corner stores, libraries, community centres, community health centres, and other central, easily accessible locations within a community. [3][4][5][6][7] Community health centres are an example of a community-informed model of care; 8,9 however, community health centres historically provide primary healthcare to underserved populations (eg, precariously housed, low-income, and refugees) within communities, 10,11 whereas a community hub caters to all who live in the community. 12 A community hub model of care focuses on community connection and community-informed service delivery.…”

“…McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 3. Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 4. McMaster University, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 5.…”