Patient Perspectives on Palliative Care Outreach to Adults Living With Homelessness

How do people living with homelessness and life-limiting illness experience a community-based palliative care outreach program?Fourteen patients of the Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH) program were interviewed for this qualitative study, and 6 major themes were identified: life before PEACH, outreach and community care, medical needs, social needs, relational care, and constructive feedback. PEACH was credited with eliminating systemic barriers, improving physical and mental well-being, and addressing social determinants of health while employing a distinctly compassionate, person-centered approach.Findings of this qualitative study underscore the value of palliative care outreach programs for adults living with homelessness and terminal illness and may inform the development and implementation of future outreach programs.

Corresponding Author: Alexander R. Levesque, MD, MA, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Bldg, 155 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada (alexander.levesque@mail.utoronto.ca).

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