PGY-3 Jeena Kar, DO and her collaborators have been published in The Cooper Rowan Medical Journal (CRMJ).
Florida ranks 9th in states with the highest prevalence of mental illness among homeless individuals. The state also ranks 43rd of 52 states in providing adequate access for mental health concerns in homeless individuals. Dr. Kar’s research titled “PHQ-2 Scores in Broward County’s Homeless: Prevalence, Barriers, and Proposed Solutions to Mental Health Disparities” surveyed people experiencing homelessness in Broward County to investigate utilization of healthcare and mental health resources and accessibility of the target population to adequate care.
The results suggest a majority of homeless individuals need further assessment concerning depression. Based on the utilization of the ER, healthcare resource awareness is inadequately approached. Programs available are underutilized due to lack of awareness, accessibility and outreach. These findings encourage redistribution of funding and further advocate for resources available to this population. One of the co-authors of the paper remains in Broward County and is working with the Jubilee Center to bolster outreach with plans to return to Broward County and present the research to advocate for more funding.
The CRMJ is an open-access, partially student-run, peer-reviewed journal encompassing up-to-date research first-authored by current medical students, allied healthcare students, and residents/fellows (all years) in training. CRMJ prioritizes publishing research that addresses conditions frequently impacting medically underserved patients and focuses on understanding the comprehensive health care systems for underserved populations.