Ashley Christiani, MD, is Clinical Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Angela L. Hudson, PhD, FNP‐C, is Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles; Adeline Nyamathi, ANP, PhD, FAAN, is Professor, School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles; Malaika Mutere, PhD, is Project Director, School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles; and Jeffrey Sweat, PhD, is Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin‐Stout, Stout, WI. PROBLEM: Major barriers to care included a lack of culturally competent, accessible care despite the proximity of numerous health service agencies serving homeless youth. METHODS: A qualitative approach using semistructured focus groups was used to assess the perspectives of 54 homeless and drug‐using youth, aged 18–24 years, recruited from street‐ and shelter‐based settings. Inwells car alarm manual. FINDINGS: Substance use was perceived as an adaptive response to psychological pain and survival on the streets as well as a health risk and barrier to care. CONCLUSIONS: Facilitators to care and suggestions for improved health delivery and quality of care included utilization of health “mentors” to assist in navigating the medical system, cultural competency enhancements, improved amenities in clinic wait areas, and expanded pharmaceutical services.

Missouri University of Science and Technology. (2016, December 3). Electronically picking your brain -- for market research. Retrieved February 28, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com.