Increasing Empathy and Reducing Stigma in Healthcare for Unhoused Individuals: Utilizing A Street Medicine Approach

Abstract

Unhoused individuals experience higher levels of stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings than their housed counterparts. The literature lacked effective interventions for reducing stigma and discrimination for unhoused individuals in healthcare, and stakeholder interviews revealed that healthcare systems were not actively seeking solutions. This grant proposal explains a proposed program that utilizes a street medicine approach that is aimed at increasing empathy through community-centered, outreach-based practical experience in order to reduce stigma and discrimination. The program is a partnership with medical residency programs and behavioral health outreach teams and will conduct weekly medical outreaches to encampments and various other locations to provide necessary medical treatment to unhoused populations in Thurston County.