Perspectives of homeless service providers on their work, their clients, and the healthcare system

PURPOSE: To describe the perspectives of homeless service providers who work for Chicago organizations that primarily serve persons experiencing homelessness. METHODS: A qualitative, cross-sectional study of Chicago homeless service providers (n = 17) consisting of a semi-structured interview and the Attitudes Toward the Homeless Inventory (ATHI). Interviews were analyzed for themes and patterns using inductive approach. RESULTS: Four categories of 16 themes describing homeless service providers’ perspectives and perceptions: 1) perspectives on work, 2) perspectives on the general population of those experiencing homelessness at large, 3) perceptions of the population of those experiencing homelessness based on client interactions, and 4) perceptions of hospitals and healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: A richer understanding of the perspectives of homeless service may provide guidance in recruitment and training of workers in this area and offer insight into caring for persons experiencing homelessness in hospital settings.