Becoming a Leader for Underserved Patients: The Importance of Student Run Free Clinics
Author Information
Author(s): Cheney Ann Marie, Baltrushes Noah, Gehlbach Daniel, Navarro Armando
Primary Institution: University of California Riverside, School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Student-run free clinics can develop medical students' leadership skills while addressing healthcare needs of underserved populations.
Conclusion
Student-run free clinics effectively train medical students in leadership and cultural competence while improving healthcare access for marginalized communities.
Supporting Evidence
- Student-run free clinics provide real-world settings for medical students to develop leadership skills.
- The Coachella Valley Free Clinic served 136 patients in its first year.
- Medical students learned to deliver culturally competent care in patients' native languages.
- Community engagement activities increased health awareness among underserved populations.
- Flexible clinic hours improved access for agricultural workers.
Takeaway
Medical students can learn to be better leaders by helping people who don't have enough healthcare, and they do this by working in free clinics.
Methodology
The study discusses the development and operations of the Coachella Valley Free Clinic as a case study for student-run free clinics.
Limitations
The study is based on a single clinic's experience and may not be generalizable to all student-run free clinics.
Participant Demographics
The clinic primarily served Latinx and Indigenous Mexican immigrant farm-working communities.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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