Capella 4015 Assessment 4

Capella 4015 Assessment 4

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4015 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Patient-Centered Care

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Date

Caring for Special Populations Teaching Presentation

Homelessness presents a critical public health issue affecting millions globally. Individuals without stable housing encounter considerable obstacles in accessing healthcare services, mental health resources, and preventive interventions (Bedmar et al., 2022). This presentation delves into the cultural values and beliefs of homeless populations, the health disparities they endure, and culturally competent strategies nurses can implement. Through practical case studies, we will explore effective nursing interventions and conclude by offering additional resources to support continued learning and professional development in this field.

Introduction to the Special Population Group

Homelessness is a multifaceted social and health concern with widespread implications. From 2018 to 2022, an estimated 327,000 people in the United States experienced homelessness within shelter systems, accounting for 0.1% of the population (Glassman, 2024). Contributing factors include poverty, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. The housing instability spectrum includes individuals temporarily displaced to those living in long-term unsheltered conditions. Homeless individuals often move between streets, shelters, or crowded residences, which contributes to health risks due to exposure to extreme weather, insufficient hygiene facilities, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access (Fornaro et al., 2022).

Chronic illnesses, untreated psychiatric disorders, and substance use are common within this population, often compounded by inconsistent access to medical care. Nurses have a vital role in supporting this vulnerable group by offering culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and accessible care. By acknowledging the unique barriers faced by homeless individuals, nurses can work toward minimizing disparities and improving health outcomes (Fornaro et al., 2022).

Cultural Values and Beliefs Relevant to Healthcare

Although homeless individuals hail from diverse backgrounds, many share experiences that shape common values influencing their interactions with healthcare. One such value is self-reliance, developed out of necessity due to minimal support. This mindset may lead to delayed care-seeking behavior, especially when previous encounters with healthcare systems involved discrimination or stigmatization (Gilmer & Buccieri, 2020).

Another widespread belief involves mistrust in institutional systems, including hospitals and clinics. Homeless individuals may harbor skepticism toward healthcare providers due to past neglect, prejudice, or denial of care based on lack of insurance (Gilmer & Buccieri, 2020). Immediate survival often takes precedence over preventive or long-term care, directing focus toward basic needs such as food and shelter. Additionally, untreated mental health conditions and the associated stigma often prevent individuals from accessing necessary psychological support. Understanding these beliefs allows nurses to approach care with empathy, build rapport, and deliver nonjudgmental, culturally informed interventions.

Healthcare Disparities Faced by Homeless Individuals

The homeless population faces notable healthcare disparities shaped by key social determinants of health. These include economic instability, limited access to medical care, social disconnection, and environmental exposure.

Determinant	Impact on Healthcare
Financial Instability	Poverty and unemployment hinder the ability to afford healthcare services, medications, and healthy food, worsening chronic disease outcomes (Flaubert et al., 2021).
Limited Access to Care	Lack of insurance, transportation, or identification, combined with provider bias, results in inadequate or delayed treatment (Gilmer & Buccieri, 2020).
Social Isolation	Absence of support networks exacerbates untreated mental illnesses and increases susceptibility to substance misuse and self-neglect (D’Souza & Mirza, 2021).
Environmental Hazards	Exposure to harsh climates and unsanitary environments heightens risks of infections, injuries, and untreated wounds.

Effective solutions include integrating housing with healthcare programs, expanding mobile health initiatives, and adopting trauma-informed, culturally aware practices.

Strategies for Culturally Competent Nursing Care

To deliver culturally competent care to homeless individuals, nurses should prioritize trust-building through active listening, respect, and a stigma-free attitude (D’Souza & Mirza, 2021). Enhancing accessibility via walk-in clinics, mobile health units, and flexible scheduling facilitates timely treatment.

A trauma-informed framework is essential. Nurses must recognize the prevalence of past trauma and communicate with sensitivity. This includes explaining procedures clearly, offering care choices, and ensuring privacy (Dobischok et al., 2024). Health education should be adapted to this group’s literacy levels, using simple language and visual aids. Nurses should also collaborate with community partners—such as shelters and mental health services—to offer comprehensive, holistic care. Such interdisciplinary cooperation addresses both health and social needs effectively.

Case Study: Culturally Competent Nursing in Action

Case Study	Description
Street Nursing in Southern Oregon	A street nursing program was launched to provide direct care to homeless individuals, addressing tri-morbidity (chronic illness, psychiatric, and substance use disorders) through trauma-informed, trust-building strategies (OHSU, n.d.).
Mobile Treatment in Portland	A mobile unit in Portland offered substance-use treatment, such as methadone and buprenorphine, directly in homeless communities, improving access and reducing transportation-related barriers (Post, n.d.).

These examples showcase how culturally sensitive, location-based care models significantly improve engagement and outcomes among homeless populations.

Resources for Further Learning

Several resources enable nurses to deepen their understanding of homelessness and culturally competent care:

Resource	Purpose
National Healthcare for the Homeless Council	Offers toolkits, clinical guidelines, and training on cultural humility and respite care (NHCHC, 2021).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)	Provides disease management guidelines for vulnerable groups, including those affected by homelessness.
ANA & Sigma Theta Tau International	Offers continuing education on trauma-informed care and addressing social determinants of health.
Nurse Journal & Online Courses	Supplies affordable, accessible training in healthcare equity and culturally responsive practices (Nurse Journal, 2025).
Local Organizations & Street Medicine Programs	Provide hands-on opportunities for nurses to gain experience in real-world homeless care through outreach and volunteer work.

By engaging with these resources, nurses can build competencies in advocacy, culturally competent practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Conclusion

Delivering effective care to homeless individuals requires a culturally aware, trauma-informed, and multidisciplinary approach. Recognizing cultural values and addressing health disparities are key to improving outcomes in this underserved population. Nurses can foster trust and engagement through nonjudgmental communication and partnerships with community resources. Innovative care models such as mobile clinics and street nursing demonstrate the impact of accessible, patient-centered care. Continued professional development through educational resources strengthens nurses’ ability to advocate for health equity and improve care quality for homeless populations.

References

Bedmar, M. A., Veny, M. B., Lelong, B. A., Mut, F. S., Pou, J., Moyano, L. C., Toro, M. G., & Yáñez, A. M. (2022). Health and access to healthcare in homeless people: Protocol for a mixed-methods study. Medicine, 101(7). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000028816

Dobischok, S., Archambault, L., & Goyer, M.-È. (2024). Trauma-informed care (TIC) interventions for populations experiencing addiction and/or homelessness: A scoping review of outcomes. Journal of Drug Issues. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426241263264

D’Souza, M. S., & Mirza, N. A. (2021). Towards equitable health care access: Community participatory research exploring unmet health care needs of homeless individuals. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 54(4), 084456212110321. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621211032136

Capella 4015 Assessment 4

Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Social determinants of health and health equity. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573923/

Fornaro, M., Dragioti, E., De Prisco, M., Billeci, M., Mondin, A. M., Calati, R., Smith, L., Hatcher, S., Kaluzienski, M., Fiedorowicz, J. G., Solmi, M., de Bartolomeis, A., & Carvalho, A. F. (2022). Homelessness and health-related outcomes: An umbrella review of observational studies and randomized controlled trials. BMC Medicine, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-022-02423-z

Gilmer, C., & Buccieri, K. (2020). Homeless patients associate clinician bias with suboptimal care for mental illness, addictions, and chronic pain. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health.

Nurse Journal. (2025). Cultural competence and healthcare equity: Training programs for nurses. Nurse Journal. https://nursejournal.org

Capella 4015 Assessment 4

OHSU School of Nursing. (n.d.). Street nursing: Delivering care to Oregon’s unhoused. https://www.ohsu.edu/nursing

Post. (n.d.). Portland mobile medical unit tackles opioid crisis. https://www.opb.org