Attitudes of Physical Therapy Students Toward the Population Currently Experiencing Homelessness: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Journal of allied health 2019-10, Vol.48 (3), p.220-225
• Main Authors: Geelhoed, Michael A., Callaway, Suzanne M., Cruz, Jessica M., Subramanian, Sandeep K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accreditation; Addictive behaviors; Advocacy; Affordable housing; Alcohol; Alcohol Abuse; Attitude Change; Attitudes; Attrition (Research Studies); Communicable Diseases; Community Relations; Community service; Competence; Cultural competence; Drug abuse; Drug Use; Education; Educational programs; Epidemics; Experimental Groups; Health behavior; Health care; Health services; Homeless people; Homelessness; Housing; Learning; Medical personnel; Medical Services; Mental disorders; Mental health care; Mental Health Programs; Mortality; Opportunities; Pain; Pain management; Patients; Physical therapists; Physical therapy; Physicians; Pilot projects; Population; Positive Attitudes; Professionals; RESEARCH ARTICLE; Sex crimes; Shelters; Student attitudes; Students; Substance Abuse; Supervision; Volunteers; Young Children
• ISSN: 0090-7421; 1945-404X

Homelessness is a national epidemic and individuals experiencing homelessness have decreased access to healthcare services. At the same time, physical therapy (PT) educational programs are required to teach students about cultural competence, pro-bono service, and advocacy for underserved populations. Having PT students provide pro-bono services to this population in a supervised environment is a mutually beneficial scenario for the patients, students, and the PT program. AIMS: The study objective was to evaluate whether participating in a student-run free clinic (SRFC) at a homeless shelter could change PT students' attitudes towards individuals experiencing homelessness. METHODS: Forty DPT students completed the Health Professionals' Attitude Toward the Homeless Inventory (HPATHI) with 19 volunteering (experimental group) to participate in the SRFC. The HPATHI was administered again immediately following participation in the SRFC to assess if their attitudes had changed. RESULTS: Baseline scores differed between the control and experimental group (p=0.03). However, post-scores of the experimental group did not differ compared to pre-scores. The subsequent analysis estimated differences on 4 of 19 questions, specifically within the personal advocacy and social advocacy subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PT students' attitudes did not change significantly after one session of volunteering at an SRFC in a homeless shelter. However, small changes were seen in personal and social advocacy subscales of the HPATHI. J Allied Health 2019; 48(3):220-225.