Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Despite high interest in examining hospital readmissions, few studies have focused on readmissions among individuals experiencing homelessness, a population with complex health challenges. A cohort of 1,165 homeless adults recruited from homeless shelters and meal programs in Toronto were observed from December 6th, 2004 to March 31st, 2009 using administrative health care databases. Multivariate analyses were used to i) compare the 30-day readmission rate between the homeless participants and a cohort of low-income controls; ii) to compare the readmission rate between hospitalized homeless participants and hospitalized low-income controls, matched on age, sex and case mix group; and iii) to determine risk factors associated with readmission among the homeless participants.Homeless participants were substantially more likely to be readmitted within 30-days as compared to low-income controls, even after accounting for the primary reason for admission. Further research is needed to assess practices and interventions to reduce readmissions in this patient population.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Dima Saab
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2567089093