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. 2023 Oct 2;15(10):e46367.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.46367. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Hospitalization and Housing: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspectives of Hospitalized Patients Experiencing Housing Insecurity

Erin L Bredenberg  1 , Julie Knoeckel  2   1 , Kathryn Havranek  3 , Lauren McBeth  1 , Sarah Stella  2   1 , Mackenzie Garcia  4 , Ellen Sarcone  2   1 , Greg Misky  5
Affiliations

Hospitalization and Housing: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspectives of Hospitalized Patients Experiencing Housing Insecurity

Erin L Bredenberg et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Although housing insecurity has clear negative impacts on health, little is known about how it impacts patients' experience of hospitalization. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 22 hospitalized patients experiencing housing insecurity. The following three major themes emerged: 1) adverse social and environmental factors directly contribute to hospitalization, 2) lack of tailored care during hospitalization leaves patients unprepared for discharge, and 3) patients have difficulty recuperating after a hospital stay, leading to the risk of rehospitalization. Within these themes, participants described the roles of extreme physical and psychological hardship, chaotic interpersonal relationships, substance use, and stigma affecting participants' experiences before, during, and following hospitalization. Our results, based directly on the patient experience, suggest a need for hospital systems to invest in universal in-hospital screening for housing insecurity, incorporation of trauma-informed care, and robust partnerships with community organizations. Future research should explore the feasibility and impact of these interventions.

Keywords: hospitalization; housing; patients experiencing homelessness; qualitative research; social determinants of health (sdoh).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared financial relationships, which are detailed in the next section.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Recruitment flow sheet
Figure 2
Figure 2. Interactions between housing, health, and hospitalization
This image was created by the authors
Figure 3
Figure 3. Screening survey for housing insecurity
Figure 4
Figure 4. Interpretation of screening
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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