Identifying US Veterans Who Access Services From Health Care for the Homeless Clinics

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) Vol. 103; no. S2; pp. S216 - S217
• Main Authors: KNOPF-AMELUNG, Sarah M, JENKINS, Darlene M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Public Health Association 01-12-2013
• Subjects: Access to Care; Ambulatory Care Facilities - statistics & numerical data; Biological and medical sciences; Councils; Cultural competence; General aspects; Health facilities; Health services; Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data; Homeless people; Homeless Persons - statistics & numerical data; Homelessness; Humans; Identification; Layoffs; Medical sciences; Mental health; Mental health care; Military history; Military service; Miscellaneous; Primary care; Public health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Research and Practice; Response rates; Screening; Substance abuse treatment; Surveys; United States - epidemiology; United States Department of Veterans Affairs - organization & administration; United States Department of Veterans Affairs - statistics & numerical data; Veterans; Veterans - statistics & numerical data; Women; United States; North America; America; Clinic; Human; Homeless; Accessibility; Healthcare; Veteran; Public health
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301308

Research on veterans experiencing homelessness is predominantly focused on the US Department of Veterans Affairs setting, despite the fact that substantial numbers receive services from Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) clinics. We explored how HCH clinics identified veteran patients through a survey of administrators (49% response rate). The majority (98%) identified veterans but used varied language and approaches. Implementing a streamlined, culturally competent identification process is vital to collecting accurate data, connecting veterans with benefits, and informing treatment plans.