RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Representation of persons experiencing homelessness and coding of homelessness in general practices: descriptive evaluation using healthcare utilisation data JF BJGP Open JO BJGP Open FD Royal College of General Practitioners SP BJGPO.2021.0050 DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0050 VO 5 IS 4 A1 Kaushal, Rishika A1 Jagpal, Parbir A1 Khanal, Saval A1 Vohra, Neha A1 Lowrie, Richard A1 Johal, Jaspal A1 Jenkins, Duncan A1 Saunders, Karen A1 Paudyal, Vibhu YR 2021 UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/5/4/BJGPO.2021.0050.abstract AB Background Epidemiological studies focused on primary healthcare needs of persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) are often based on data from specialist homeless healthcare services.Aim To explore the presentation of PEH, coding of homelessness, and associated health conditions in mainstream primary care general practices in England.Design & setting EMIS electronic database search of medical records was conducted across 48 general practices in a clinical commissioning group (CCG), representing one of the most socioeconomically deprived regions in England, which also lacks a specialist primary healthcare service for PEH.Method Key terms and codes were used to identify PEH, their respective diagnoses across 22 health conditions, and prescribed medications over the past 4 years.Results From a population of approximately 321 000, 43 (0.013%) people were coded as PEH, compared with a homelessness prevalence of 0.5% in the English general population. Mental health conditions were the most prevalent diagnoses among the PEH registrants (56.6%); the recorded prevalence of other common long-term conditions in PEH was lower than the levels observed in PEH registered with specialist homelessness health services.Conclusion In a population with approximately four times higher rate of statutory homelessness, PEH representation in mainstream general practices was under-represented by several folds. As homelessness overlaps with mental health, substance misuse, and long-term health conditions, consistent coding of homelessness in medical records is imperative in order to offer tailored support and prevention actions when patients present for services.