Supporting street medicine through medical informatics: a manifesto on research needs

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• Effect Size: Not applicable - qualitative framework

• Primary Outcome: Four key research priority areas identified for medical informatics in street medicine

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not applicable - expert consensus document

Clinical Application

Requires significant infrastructure development, funding, and multi-stakeholder coordination Relevant to Australian homeless healthcare initiatives; could inform digital health strategy for vulnerable populations and complement existing telehealth frameworks under Medicare Homeless individuals, street medicine practitioners, healthcare informaticians, and policymakers

Abstract

Homeless individuals face major barriers in accessing regular healthcare, leading to the development of street medicine as a distinct humanitarian field. To enhance continuity and quality of care, consistent documentation is crucial. However, electronic health records are rarely used in European street medicine. An interdisciplinary European workshop identified four key research fields for medical informatics in street medicine: (1) Research ethics: The creation of ethical guidelines that promote co-creation and active communication with patients. (2) System development: Designing a secure, anonymous and European Health Data Space-compliant personal Electronic Health and Social Record (pEHSR), establishing standardised health and social care datasets, and implementing dynamic consent management methods. (3) Education and training: Developing targeted programmes to improve digital and health literacy among street medicine clients and training professionals in the effective use of the pEHSR system. (4) Management and evaluation: Creating management structures and evaluation frameworks suited to the unique challenges of street medicine.This manifesto calls for internationally coordinated scientific efforts to build effective, integrated digital health solutions for vulnerable populations. It encourages researchers and practitioners from medical informatics and related fields to engage with these priorities and support innovation that advances equitable healthcare access.

References

1. 1.Winter, A. F., Alverà, A., Ammenwerth, E., Breaz, A. M., Chronaki, C., Crişan-Vida, M., Delgado, J., Gallos, P., Jahn, F., Plicka, P., Schneider, B., Speerforck, S., & Stoicu-Tivadar, L. (2026). Supporting street medicine through medical informatics: a manifesto on research needs. BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 33. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjhci-2025-102005