REBEL Cast - Street Medicine: Compassionate Care for the Unhoused

02/04/2025 55 min
REBEL Cast - Street Medicine: Compassionate Care for the Unhoused

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Episode Synopsis

In this episode of Rebel Cast, host Marco Propersi, along with co-hosts Steve Hochman and Kim Baldino, delve into the practice and importance of street medicine—the direct delivery of healthcare to homeless and unsheltered individuals. Special guests Dr. Jim O'Connell, a pioneer of street medicine, and Dr. Ed Egan, a recent street medicine fellowship graduate, share their experiences and insights on serving this vulnerable population. They discuss the origins, scope, and challenges of street medicine, the ethical dilemmas faced, and the profound impact of building trust and community with patients. The conversation underscores the necessity of integrating street medicine with mainstream healthcare systems and emphasizes that small acts of kindness and persistence can significantly improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness.   00:00 Introduction to Rebel Cast 00:18 Meet the Hosts and Guests 00:47 Understanding Street Medicine 02:22 Origins and Early Challenges 07:23 Street Medicine in Practice 20:11 Barriers to Care 22:23 Housing First Experiment 26:56 Ethical Dilemmas in Street Medicine 27:52 Challenges of Providing Care on the Streets 29:56 The Role of Street Medicine Teams 31:17 The Importance of Building Trust 33:55 Limitations and Realities of Street Medicine 37:37 The Future of Street Medicine 41:42 Integrating Street Medicine with Emergency Medicine 43:36 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned 48:56 Advice for Aspiring Street Medicine Practitioners 53:03 Final Thoughts and Encouragement  

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