Thirteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

This study examines whether vulnerabilities contribute to differential rates and types of errors in relation to patient safety, in this case looking at individuals who are homeless. Individuals who are homeless provide a clear exemplar of the way in which social, clinical, professional and organisational factors intersect to increase the risk of harm. The authors of this paper use intersectionality as an analytical framework to address the following: What is the evidence for increased risk of iatrogenic harm to people who are homeless? What are the methods used to estimate that harm? What interventions have been developed to reduce harm and what evidence is there of their effectiveness? Findings from studies conducted internationally are used to inform this discussion.