ListenIN

Life-world-oriented and systemic empowerment for people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or precarious housing situations with lived experience of cancer

What is the project about?

ListenIN is a participatory research project that addresses the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or precarious housing situations who have been affected by cancer in Austria. Using the PhotoVoice methodology, the project amplifies the voices of this multiply disadvantaged population to identify barriers within cancer care and support services. The project combines qualitative and quantitative research approaches, evaluates existing measures of organizational health literacy, and develops recommendations for healthcare institutions and policymakers to sustainably improve access to and quality of care for this population.

What is the goal of the project?

Project objectives:

• Strengthen the health literacy of people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or precarious housing situations who have been diagnosed with cancer through participatory methods such as Photovoice


• Improve the organizational health literacy of healthcare and social service organizations through mapping, assessment, and targeted training

Added value of the project:

• Empowerment of the target group: Through active participation in the research process (e.g., as co-researchers), participants gain a voice, reflect on their experiences, and enhance their ability to navigate the healthcare system


• Improved care provision: Healthcare organizations benefit from practice-oriented recommendations that support more targeted and sensitive care for this population


• Raising public awareness: The stories documented through PhotoVoice will be shared through an exhibition and targeted communication activities to increase public awareness and understanding of the issue

Who participates in the project?

Key stakeholders involved include:

• Research partners: University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna (FH Campus Wien), Medical University of Vienna, Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, aks Gesundheit GmbH, and AmberMed.


• Target group: People experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or precarious living conditions who have cancer, as well as their family members and caregivers.


• Healthcare professionals: Physicians, nurses, community nurses, and social workers.


• Healthcare organizations: Hospitals, NGOs (e.g., AmberMed), and primary care centers.


• Policy and decision-makers: Health authorities, social insurance providers, and government ministries.


• Public and media: Journalists, social media platforms, and the press.

How are participants involved in the project?

The project relies on participatory research approaches:

• Photovoice method: Participants document their experiences through photographs and personal narratives.


• Co-researchers: People who are currently homeless or have previously experienced homelessness and cancer are actively involved in the research process.


• Delphi consensus processes: Decision-makers and experts validate the recommendations developed through the project.


• Workshops and training programs: Development of training initiatives for healthcare institutions to sustainably improve the quality of care and service delivery.

How are participants recruited for the project?

Leveraging existing networks and partner organizations (e.g., CANCERLESS, AmberMed, Caritas, and Neunerhaus).
Direct recruitment through hospitals and social service organizations to engage eligible participants.
Targeted public outreach and social media campaigns to raise awareness of the project and the challenges faced by the target population.
Employment of co-researchers from the target group to build trust, facilitate communication, and improve engagement with participants who have lived experience of homelessness or housing insecurity.

Project lead

Cornelia Feichtinger, BSc, BSc, MSc, FH Campus Wien

pbearyvn.srvpugvatre@su-pnzchfjvra.np.ng

Cooperation partners

Medical University of Vienna, Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, aks Gesundheit GmbH, AmberMed