Pitfalls
- Failure to identify that the patient is from a marginalised group
- Frustration at a perceived hopeless case or lack of progress
- Missing an opportunity to intervene for vulnerable patients
- Stigmatising homeless or other vulnerable patients and allowing this to affect their treatment
- Focusing only on the presenting complaint as opposed to taking a holistic approach
- Arranging follow up the patient is unlikely to attend
- Discharging the patient with a plan that they cannot comply with e.g., isolation
- Not referring patients to Local Housing Authority despite the statutory obligation to do so
- Discharging patients in acute alcohol withdrawal with red flags for, or a history of, complicated alcohol withdrawal
