Abstract
We assessed the impact of a 2-week required rotation in homeless health care on primary care residents' attitudes toward homeless people. Attitudes were assessed before and after the course using the Attitudes Toward Homelessness Inventory (ATHI), an instrument previously validated among undergraduate students. Attitude scores on the ATHI improved from 46 to 52 (range of possible scores 11 to 66; P = .001). The ATHI subscales showed, after the course, that residents had a greater belief that homelessness had societal causes and felt more comfortable affiliating with homeless people. After the course, residents also reported an increased interest in volunteering with homeless populations on an anonymous survey.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 566-568 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of General Internal Medicine |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 5 PART 2 |
State | Published - May 1 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Attitude of health personnel
- Curriculum
- Homeless persons
- Medical education
- Social medicine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine