Paper Abstract
This is a 6 page paper with added tutorial language discussing the emergency medical services communication barriers which exist in the special populations of prostitutes, transsexuals and homeless populations. Although various emergency and health care services are offered in Toronto and the province of Ontario, the populations of homeless people, prostitutes and transsexuals are reluctant to use these services. All three of these populations have reported harassment, and “treat ‘em and street ‘em” minimal services from emergency health care services. This adds to the reluctance to contact these services in addition to the fear of contacting official agencies because of the legal implications. Incidence of drug and alcohol abuse and underage prostitution in addition to the high degree of violence associated with prostitution lead to an obvious initial degree of reluctance to contact authorities in regards to emergency assistance. Unfortunately, these populations have a higher need of emergency services than most due to the increase risk of substance abuse, exposure to disease and in the case of transsexuals, complications due to the administration of hormones. Despite the findings from most studies, initial examination of services offered in homeless shelters in the Toronto area show that these first contact agencies do not include access to emergency and health care services. In order to improve communication to these populations first contact should perhaps be instigated through these initial services. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
|
|
