SRFP018: Changes in relational continuity of care among adults with vulnerable housing in a transitional case management program

Alexandra Chiew, BSc; Kerry McBrien, MD, MPH; Paul Ronksley, PhD; Kimberly Rondeau, MSc

Abstract

Context: Individuals with vulnerable housing have high mortality and lower life expectancies than the general population. Barriers to health and social care are also common among these individuals, preventing optimal health outcomes. Connect 2 Care (C2C) is a case management intervention that connects people with vulnerable housing and high acute care use to community-based care, including primary care. Relational continuity of care, a proxy for stable patient-provider relationships, is associated with improved patient experience and health outcomes. Unfortunately, care continuity is not well studied in people with vulnerable housing. Objective: 1) To assess whether adults with vulnerable housing experience improved relational continuity of care following C2C program enrolment, using visit-based measures and 2) to assess patient characteristics associated with increased relational continuity of care. Study Design: Quantitative pre-post cohort design with retrospective assessment of physician billing data. Setting: C2C is a partnership between a community health centre, a housing and harm reduction shelter, and the acute care system within Calgary, Canada. C2C accepts referrals from acute care facilities, community agencies, and health clinics. Population Studied: 390 adults who engaged with C2C. Participants must be homeless or in vulnerable housing, have had ≥ 3 ED presentations or ≥ 2 hospitalizations within the past year, and a history of one or more high-risk conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease). Intervention: C2C employs registered nurses and health navigators to support patients with advocacy, health navigation, preventative care, mental illness/substance use treatment, and basic survival needs through case management and navigational support. Outcome Measures: Relational continuity of care, as measured using the Usual Provider of Care Index and the Continuity of Care Index. Anticipated Results: We will use generalized linear mixed models to determine whether relational continuity of care changes from pre- to post-C2C enrolment, and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify patient characteristics associated with increased care continuity. Conclusions: Individuals who are vulnerably housed can have complex medical and social needs. Targeted interventions promoting relational continuity of care may facilitate more timely and appropriate care to these patients, improving care experiences and health outcomes.
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Jack Westfall
jwestfall@aafp.org 11/21/2021

Thanks for your terrific work on this research. Hope you can connect with us at the Robert Graham Center https://www.graham-center.org/rgc/home.html

William R. Phillips
wphllps@uw.edu 11/22/2021

Great poster, insightful research question, important health problem. I like to focus on housing vulnerability rather than on persons currently experiencing homelessness. It feels like it applies to a larger portion of our patients and community and perhaps focuses on those where manageable interventions can be most effective. Thanks for sharing your work here at NAPCRG. - Bill Phillips

Diane Harper
harperdi@med.umich.edu 11/22/2021

Present your results in Phoenix next year! Thank you for sharing your work with NAPCRG!

Andy Pasternak
avpiv711@sbcglobal.net 11/28/2021

Challenging topic- Transitional care is hard enough but doing it for people who have housing difficulties gets even harder. Great work

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