Original research
by
Gehring, Nicole D. et al
Release Date
2022
Geography
Canada
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
Yes
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Yes
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
Our objectives were to: 1) explore social service providers’ perspectives on addressing social needs for this patient population; and 2) identify what possible strategies social service providers suggest for improving patient care.
Findings/Key points
Broad policy changes are required to improve care for structurally vulnerable patients who use drugs, including: 1) ending acute care’s ambivalence towards social services; 2) addressing multi-level gaps in housing and financial support; 3) implementing hospital-based Housing First teams; and, 4) offering sub-acute care with integrated substance use management.
Design/methods
18 semi-structured interviews with social service providers at a large, urban acute care hospital in Western Canada
Keywords
Social services
Barriers and enablers
Housing
Hospitals
