Compassion is the key attribute that carries unilateral weight in all fields of nursing. Compassion holds nurses accountable for every interaction they have and is often what the public expects. Compassionate care consists of two main characteristics; being able to realize the factors that make up an individual and at the same time being able to empathize with their situation and condition. Nurses perform routine procedures and skills throughout their shift. The first hallmark of compassionate care is context. While doctors' tasks are structured and routine, their relationship with the patient is not. Every compassionate act is subject to the patient's situation. In order to treat the patient as a whole it is necessary to take into account additional factors, such as health determinants and external and internal influences. The second hallmark of compassion is empathy. Through a therapeutic relationship, empathy can be used to make the patient feel heard and validated leading to positive outcomes both medically and behaviorally. This article will examine the impact of compassionate care on individuals experiencing homelessness. Issues relating to barriers at both a systemic and individual level will be addressed, as well as factors influencing positive and negative outcomes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay It is important to take into account the deficits and disparities of this population to best serve them. The issue of homelessness is complex and there are a number of reasons why an individual may experience it. An individual may be homeless due to an economic problem or may be chronically homeless due to mental health and addiction issues (Katz, 2017). In America, more than 500,000 people are homeless at any time, and 3 million experience homelessness year-round (Landefeld, 2017). The average age of this population is 50 years old in 2017 (Landefeld, 2017). The composition of this population includes women, children, and families in addition to single men (Katz, 2017). These individuals arguably have the worst healthcare and often only seek help when in crisis through emergency departments. Life expectancy is only 47 years (Withers, 2011). This low number can be attributed to many factors, but lack of healthcare resources is a major contributing factor. This population is at risk for many health factors, both physical and psychological. Compared to the general population, individuals experiencing homelessness are more likely to report conditions associated with a greater prevalence and severity of chronic pain (Landfield, 2013). In a study conducted by Landfield (2013) examining the rate of chronic disease in middle-aged adults, it was reported that 79.9% of 305 participants reported experiencing chronic pain which was classified in the study as any pain that lasts more than three months. Participants also reported physical and mental health disorders, substance abuse, tobacco dependence, and histories of physical and sexual abuse during childhood (Landefeld, 2017). Since 32% of the population lives without shelter, the climate also contributes to risk factors (Katz, 2017). The environments are often harsh and ultimately end up increasing pain by leaving individuals exposed to various elements such as violence, overcrowded shelters, lack of beds and the need to travel long distances (Landefield, 2017). The lack of hygienic living environments hascrucial impacts that may affect more than the population in question. For example, in 2017, a city in California experienced a hepatitis C outbreak among drug users and those who were homeless, resulting in 600 cases, 395 hospitalizations, and 19 deaths (Katz, 2017). This is just one of many findings that illustrate the need for proactive care in this population and the need for healthcare facilities. As stated previously, individuals in this population are aging and suffer from many chronic diseases that require ongoing medical care in addition to medication management. When seeking medical care in this population, it is often overlooked due to individuals feeling stigmatized by both nurses and healthcare providers, leading to a lack of health adherence (Ogrady, 2018). Health care professionals and the general public are often quick to stereotype these individuals by labeling them as “lazy,” “drug addicts,” or “vagrants.” It is often assumed that this is the life they have chosen when in reality homelessness can affect anyone. Certain behaviors are linked to this population, including; drug use, syringes strewn on the streets, shopping carts and tents in public areas, which has been reported as civically frustrating (Katz, 2017). These behaviors decrease the public's urge to assist or help. In an effort to decrease this stigma, providers must first educate themselves about the causes of homelessness to be able to provide context to the individual's situation which will then lead to compassionate and empathetic care. Through advocacy, education, and the implementation of new programs, nurses and all healthcare workers can step forward as leaders to care for this underserved population by formalizing the idea of ​​street medicine. Street medicine is a trending method that represents a more drastic attempt than traditional methods in creating an accessible healthcare environment for those who have been largely marginalized in our organized healthcare system (Withers, 2011). Street medicine places an emphasis on healthcare provision and education in hopes of bridging social and economic disparities. This concept recognizes the strategic deficits and resources demonstrated to address these issues that are often ignored. A critical element is being able to mobilize health care to bring it to a specific community. It is often difficult for this population to find convenient and consistent transportation. They are also reported to ignore important health issues rather than attempt to access institutional health services that they perceive as failed resources in the past. (Ogrady, 2018). Typically, these services are offered without judgment, without any expectation of compensation configured to meet the specific need (Ogrady, 2018). This concept encompasses a vital element of compassion discussed previously. To empathize, providers address the patient directly, establishing an element of trust and building a solid foundation from which to begin (Withers, 2017). With a willingness to understand the context, nurses and healthcare providers must take this critical step in providing care to this marginalized population to begin closing disparities. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Individuals experiencing homelessness did not happen overnight and will not be solved overnight. It is the cause of many social and economic barriers and efforts are needed to combat it, 21(5), 23., 39(3), 328-343.