Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis
BackgroundIn the United States, the number of people experiencing homelessness has continually increased over the last 3 years. Homelessness is associated with poor health, and people experiencing homelessness are often burdened with high rates of chronic and mental health co...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2021/9/e27787 |
| _version_ | 1827859001608503296 |
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| author | Whitney Thurman Monika Semwal Leticia R Moczygemba Mark Hilbelink |
| author_facet | Whitney Thurman Monika Semwal Leticia R Moczygemba Mark Hilbelink |
| author_sort | Whitney Thurman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundIn the United States, the number of people experiencing homelessness has continually increased over the last 3 years. Homelessness is associated with poor health, and people experiencing homelessness are often burdened with high rates of chronic and mental health conditions, functional limitations, and cognitive impairment. Despite the high burden of chronic illness and functional limitations, there is limited literature exploring self-management among homeless populations.
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate how access to smartphone technology facilitates self-management, including the attainment of social needs within the context of homelessness.
MethodsA secondary analysis of 33 exit interviews from 2 feasibility studies related to mobile health interventions among people experiencing homelessness was conducted. Iterative thematic analysis was used to identify themes representative of participants’ experiences using smartphone technology.
ResultsCollectively, participants revealed not only how the context of homelessness constrained their ability to engage in activities necessary to self-manage health and meet social needs but also how consistent and predictable access to the tools available through a smartphone changed their behaviors and outlook. The global theme of empowered by technology was identified and defined as how having a smartphone with a plan for unlimited text, calling, data, and transportation allowed participants to navigate homelessness and facilitated self-management.
ConclusionsPeople experiencing homelessness used the tools on a smartphone to make decisions, take action, solve problems, and use the resources—skills necessary for fulfilling tasks required for effective self-management. Further, consistent access to smartphone technology and transportation empowered participants to meet the requirements for the attainment of social needs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:02:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-187bac8fec934568bcdedc14cc92fc50 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:02:05Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-187bac8fec934568bcdedc14cc92fc502023-08-28T19:09:53ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712021-09-01239e2778710.2196/27787 Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis Whitney Thurmanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3208-4021Monika Semwalhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7220-1280Leticia R Moczygembahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8861-2743Mark Hilbelinkhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7292-0872 BackgroundIn the United States, the number of people experiencing homelessness has continually increased over the last 3 years. Homelessness is associated with poor health, and people experiencing homelessness are often burdened with high rates of chronic and mental health conditions, functional limitations, and cognitive impairment. Despite the high burden of chronic illness and functional limitations, there is limited literature exploring self-management among homeless populations. ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate how access to smartphone technology facilitates self-management, including the attainment of social needs within the context of homelessness. MethodsA secondary analysis of 33 exit interviews from 2 feasibility studies related to mobile health interventions among people experiencing homelessness was conducted. Iterative thematic analysis was used to identify themes representative of participants’ experiences using smartphone technology. ResultsCollectively, participants revealed not only how the context of homelessness constrained their ability to engage in activities necessary to self-manage health and meet social needs but also how consistent and predictable access to the tools available through a smartphone changed their behaviors and outlook. The global theme of empowered by technology was identified and defined as how having a smartphone with a plan for unlimited text, calling, data, and transportation allowed participants to navigate homelessness and facilitated self-management. ConclusionsPeople experiencing homelessness used the tools on a smartphone to make decisions, take action, solve problems, and use the resources—skills necessary for fulfilling tasks required for effective self-management. Further, consistent access to smartphone technology and transportation empowered participants to meet the requirements for the attainment of social needs.https://www.jmir.org/2021/9/e27787 |
| spellingShingle | Whitney Thurman Monika Semwal Leticia R Moczygemba Mark Hilbelink Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title |
Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis
|
| title_full |
Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis
|
| title_fullStr |
Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis
|
| title_full_unstemmed |
Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis
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| title_short |
Smartphone Technology to Empower People Experiencing Homelessness: Secondary Analysis
|
| title_sort | smartphone technology to empower people experiencing homelessness secondary analysis |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2021/9/e27787 |
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