Photo Credit: Drazen Zigic

The following is a summary of “Increasing Primary Care Engagement Among Homeless-Experienced Veterans Following an Emergency Department Visit: Qualitative Insights From Los Angeles County,” published in the November 2024 issue of Primary Care by Chinchilla et al. 

Homeless-experienced individuals in the Emergency Department (ED) often do not receive follow-up primary care.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to identify barriers to primary care and assess the acceptability of a peer-led intervention for homeless Veterans, aiming to guide a post-ED navigation model. 

They conducted 3 focus groups (n = 14) and 2 interviews (n = 16) with homeless-experienced Veterans who sought care in the VA Greater Los Angeles ED between August and November 2023. They explored barriers to primary care post-ED visit, strategies to improve connections, and the acceptability of a peer-led intervention, with fieldnotes coded using rapid qualitative methods. 

The results showed participants faced challenges with receiving information and support for primary care, including long wait times, lack of clinic walk-in knowledge, and social needs. They recommended patient navigation support, timely appointments, and peer assistance in the ED to improve healthcare and resource connection. 

Investigators used the data to inform the adaptation and piloting of a peer-led patient navigation model for homeless-experienced Veterans in the VA GLA ED.  

Source: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319241296603