Respectful Service Learning

Abstract

On any given night, there are an estimated 567,715 people in America experiencing homelessness. As such, medical students need to be acutely aware of their potential role and impact on the healthcare crisis that is homelessness and housing insecurity. The interconnectivity between healthcare outcomes and housing security necessitates patient-centered care that is both knowledgeable and respectful of the social context in which it is being delivered. This essay explores the ways in which relationship-centered care and respect can be adequately shown to individuals experiencing homelessness and is influenced by the author’s experience volunteering with the Community Health Advancement Program at the University of Washington School of Medicine.