Partnership between Health Care Professionals & Homeless Organizations

Leadership in Healthcare
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation
Leadership in Healthcare
Homeless Organization
Central Union Mission is a homeless organization based in Washington, DC. It is a faith-based nonprofit body and the first private social service agency within the region. Its mission is to constantly develop its program tailored to meet the community’s evolving needs. The organization’s programs serve unprivileged women, homeless men, children, families, veterans, and seniors. The organization’s work is to serve the suffering populations across the Washington Metropolitan Area. They serve economically impoverished families, homeless men, children living in at-risk neighborhoods, and the increasing Hispanic populace in the city (Central Union Mission, 2021).
Healthcare Needs of the Homeless
Homeless people are more susceptible to poor mental and physical health compared to the general populace. Poor physical and mental wellbeing is both a consequence and cause of homelessness. Research indicates that 78 percent of homeless individuals reported having a physical health problem (Crisis, 2017). Homeless individuals are over twofold likely to have a physical illness compared to the general population. Accordingly, 44 percent of the homeless have psychological health diagnoses, compared to 23 percent of the general populace (Crisis, 2017). These statistics reiterate that homelessness is a lonely, stressful, and increasingly traumatic experience that has significant ramifications on psychological wellbeing. Homeless individuals are also susceptible to healthcare needs related to drug abuse and alcoholism. For instance, 41 percent of the homeless use alcohol and drugs to cope with psychological wellbeing issues (Crisis, 2017). Multiple health needs, coupled with alcohol and drug abuse, hinder the population’s capacity to access mainstream medical services and, consequently, utilize more expensive primary medical care services (Crisis, 2017).
Partnership Between Health Care Professionals and Homeless Organizations
Healthcare professionals can partner with homeless organizations by interacting frequently and regularly with the homeless to understand their healthcare needs. Healthcare professionals should also connect clients with services including social services, health, psychological healthcare, entitlements, and housing, instead of forcing them to seek services without guidance. In addition, it is essential to implement a targeted approach that is increasingly aggressive in providing outreach and seeking homeless persons on the streets (Skinner, Franz, & Kelleher, 2019). Such interactions cultivate empathy and trust that motivates the homeless to share their experiences and wellbeing needs, thus enhancing healthcare professionals’ capacity to serve them.
Initiating Collaborations Between Healthcare Entities and the Homeless Organizations
The healthcare leader can initiate partnerships with homeless organizations by implementing specific interventions. The healthcare leader should develop effective relationships with the homeless organizations to unify the healthcare and the homeless welfares. It is increasingly essential to recognize resources in the homeless organiz...