Access to health services by the Homeless Population: an integrative review

ABSTRACT

We aim to analyze the access of the Homeless Population (PSR) to primary, outpatient and hospital care. The study was conducted through an integrative review (2009 to 2020), by Virtual Health Library (VHL), in Portuguese, Spanish and English, originating in Brazil, and available with full text. The descriptors were: PSR; homeless; access to health services; and the free term street office. The results indicate the prejudices and stigmas produced about PSR as barriers to accessing primary care. The results indicate the prejudices and stigmas produced about PSR as barriers to accessing primary care. In outpatient and hospital care, the articles point to the non-acceptance of PSR patients who have Severe Mental Disorder (SMD). The requirement of identification documents for the service, added to the lack of bonding and reception, are barriers present in primary care to hospital care. The studies indicate the Street Office, and the articulation with Social Assistance Networks and psychosocial care as enhancers of PSR’s access to health services. It is concluded that the PSR requires a health work process based on equity as a principle of action in the Unified Health System.

KEYWORDS
Homeless persons; Health services accessibility; Review literature as topic