The Effects of Reentry Programs on Healthcare Accessibility and Resulting Emergency Department Strain by Ex-Inmates: An Integrative Literature Review

THE EFFECTS OF REENTRY PROGRAMS ON HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY AND RESULTING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT STRAIN BY EX-INMATES

Kaitlyn Muratori

Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Christina Lattner

Background: Ex-inmates are significantly more likely to use emergency rooms to seek treatment for substance abuse, mental health disorders, or poor management of chronic conditions which, if not treated on a community level, ultimately contributes to overboarding in the emergency department.

Objectives: The purpose of this literature review is to use current research to examine the relationship between reentry programs across the US and healthcare accessibility, as well as the resulting strain of emergency room misuse by ex-inmates.

Method: An integrative literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and PsychInfo databases for relevant articles using the keywords correctional, ex-inmates, ex-convicts, reentry, reintegration, emergency department, misuse, overboarding, accessibility, barriers, mental health, substance abuse, chronic conditions.

Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most effective reentry approaches to treating the aforementioned treatment indicators were programs that utilized a dynamic approach in treating both perceived and actual barriers to healthcare management. Program effects on recidivism are still debated, however addressing barriers such as homelessness, health literacy, and social support indicate an overall improvement on both ex-inmate health upon reentry and their subsequent emergency room misuse.

Conclusion: Reentry program success can also be defined as improved community-based resource engagement and reduced emergency room misuse by ex-inmates. In doing so, community health is seen as more positively affected by the efforts of these programs.