#216 Homeless Healthcare with Stefan Kertesz MD

Learn the nuances of caring for and building relationships with patients experiencing homelessness from expert internal medicine and addiction physician Stefan Kertesz, return guest from Episode 74 on Opioids and Health Policy (highly recommend a re-listen, y’all!). Topics: the challenge of creating a welcoming and useful space for individuals experiencing homelessness, how to meet patients where they’re at--both physically and mentally--the challenge of managing diuretics for those without stable access to a bathroom (avoid, if possible), and how absolutely essential the foot exam is.

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Credits

• Written and Produced by Nora Taranto MD
  
• Infographics by Nora Taranto MD
  
• Cover Art by Kate Grant MBChB, MRCGP
  
• Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP, Nora Taranto MD
  
• Editor: Carolyn Chan (written materials); Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
  
• Guest: Stefan Kertesz MD
  

Sponsor: VCU Health CE
Time Stamps

• 00:00 Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
  
• 3:17 Guest one-liner
  
• 8:55 Picks of the Week*: Dr. Kertesz’s Book Recommendation: Saul Weiner’s On Becoming A Healer; Nora’s Pick of the week: BackStory (especially their episode on dynamite!) https://www.backstoryradio.org/
  
• 10:07 Case from Kashlak
  
• 10:56 Language: How to ask where a patient lives?
  
• 13:25 Terminology: Persons Experiencing Homelessness:
  
• 14:35 The stats on prevalence of health and illness in the homeless population, and the importance of both medical and environmental factors
  
• 20:44 How to start the visit, and how to establish trust early on?
  
• 27:40 Why is the mortality rate higher?
  
• 35:15 Special conditions and Medication Considerations: Hypertension, Diuretics, Insulin and Food Insecurity, Substance Use Disorders, Feet, and Hepatitis C
  
• 54:15 COVID and homeless healthcare
  
• 57:00 Care Models
• 62:30 Take Home Points and Outro