Leveraging Electronic Health Modalities to Enhance Care for Unhoused Populations and Reduce Emergency Department Overutilization: A Review of the Existing Literature

This review describes the current state of electronic communication technology usage for improving healthcare for the unhoused population, with particular attention to patient overuse of the emergency department (ED). In doing so, this review additionally explores future directions for the use of this technology.

Technological tools such as the electronic medical record (EMR), telehealth, and communication devices can be used to improve healthcare access for unhoused patients. EMR systems allow for continuity of care and updated health information for physicians for reference during care. In addition, the use of communication devices to help with health literacy, appointment and medication reminders, and communication with providers appears to have been positively received by unhoused patients.

Optimally utilizing the electronic medical record, telehealth, and communication devices can mitigate a variety of disparities that contribute to the overuse of the emergency department for routine medical needs. As such, introducing unhoused patients who are previously unfamiliar with the concepts of telehealth, various medical applications, patient portals, and other resources is an essential element in providing comprehensive care and enhancing patient follow-up, adherence to treatment plans, health literacy, and overall outcomes. Future research focusing upon the removal of barriers limiting access to these tools is needed to further advance healthcare for our unhoused ED patients.