[Canada] Palliative care access and use among homeless individuals: A scoping review

[Canada] Palliative care access and use among homeless individuals: A scoping review
BMC Palliative Care; by Ashley Rodericks-Schulwach, Ravi Gokani, Lynn Martin; 7/25
Homeless individuals experience unique needs and challenges when PC. Many of the challenges experienced are related to the stigma of homelessness– it negatively impacts the relationship people have with PC professionals as well as creates barriers to access. Implementation of integrated and intersectoral PC programs that employ harm reduction approaches is needed to ensure that people experiencing homelessness receive PC that promotes dignity and comfort. Specialized staff training to work with this population is also needed to improve quality of PC care provided. Future research that employs an intersectional lens to better understand the needs of sub-groups within the homeless population is needed, as is use of consistent terminology related to PC services to ensure both understanding and generalizability of findings.