Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41131573›Full record

Trial reportInternational journal for equity in health2025

Baseline characteristics of people experiencing homelessness in the PHOENIx community pharmacy multicentre pilot randomised controlled trial.

Andrew McPherson, Vibhu Paudyal, Richard Lowrie, Helena Heath, Jane Moir, Natalie Allen, Nigel Barnes, Hugh Hill, Adnan Araf, Cian Lombard and 10 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled TrialMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Trial report in International journal for equity in health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

20 authors.

Andrew McPhersonPharmacy Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Vibhu PaudyalFlorence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK. vibhu.paudyal@kcl.ac.uk.
Richard LowriePharmacy Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. richard.lowrie@ed.ac.uk.
Helena HeathNHS Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundations Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Jane MoirPharmacy Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Natalie AllenSIFA Fireside, Birmingham, UK.
Nigel BarnesNHS Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundations Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Hugh HillSimon Community Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
Adnan ArafNHS Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundations Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Cian LombardPharmacy Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Steven RossSimon Community Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
Sarah TearneBirmingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Parbir JagpalSchool of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Lee MiddletonBirmingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Versha CheedBirmingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Jennifer HislopHealthcare Improvement Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.
Shabana AkhtarNHS Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundations Trust, Birmingham, UK.
George ProvanSimon Community Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
Andrea WilliamsonGeneral Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Frances S MairGeneral Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care Research 133030 (Vibhu Paudyal and Richard Lowrie)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeople experiencing homelessness (PEH) are amongst the most marginalised populations in the society. Despite facing extreme health inequalities and poorer outcomes than the general population, they are under-represented in clinical trials. Little is hence known about the physical, mental health and social characteristics of PEH as clinical trial participants. Cross-sectoral complex interventions aiming to mitigate health, wellbeing and wider inequalities faced by PEH are urgently needed.

methodsThis paper reports on baseline characteristics of PEH from the PHOENIx Community Pharmacy multicentre Pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) with recruitment from community pharmacies in Glasgow and Birmingham, UK. Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive PHOENIx (collaboration between National Health Service pharmacist independent prescribers and third sector workers) intervention in addition to usual care (UC) or UC only. Data were collected using face-to-face patient questionnaires which included validated tools (e.g. Equation 5D), direct clinical observations (e.g. blood pressure, grip strength) and healthcare utilisation records (e.g. hospital admissions).

resultsA total of 100 participants were recruited as planned from five community pharmacies. Participants (n = 99 baseline records for one were lost) were on average 42 years old, mostly white (87, 88%), and male (81, 82%). Most had recently slept rough (57, 58%), were registered with an Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (79, 81%), and prescribed opioid substitute therapy (74, 75%). A minority reported having a recent street substance-related overdose (15, 15%). Most participants reported one or more chronic physical health condition (83, 85%). Fifteen (15%) participants rated severity of breathlessness as 4. Thirty-four (44%) participants were deemed pre-frail and 43 (56%) as frail. Participants had an average EQ-5D-5L health-related quality of life score of 42.2 (SD 24.7). Seventy-six (77%) participants reported having a mental health condition or difficulty; depression (n = 56, 56%), anxiety (n = 47, 47%), self-harm/suicide attempt (n = 21, 21%). Only half were known to housing/casework services. Moreover, half walked to appointments and a minority of those diagnosed with a blood borne virus were in receipt of treatment. Over three quarters had been imprisoned in the past.

conclusionsBaseline characteristics of PEH who participated in the PHOENIx Community Pharmacy pilot RCT demonstrates multiple, complex and unmet health, social and practical needs. The data emphasises the need to engage, support, refer and treat PEH through integrated and bespoke pathways to promote people’s engagement with care, prevent repeat homelessness and early deaths.

trial registrationInternational Clinical Trials Registration ISRCTN88146807. Date of registration 18/07/2022.

Indexed as

Community Pharmacy ServicesIll-Housed PersonsPharmaciesAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited KingdomCommunity pharmacyHomelessnessInclusion health

Identifiers

PMID41131573
PMCPMC12551168

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.