Title

Characteristics of patients at three free clinics

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Senior Scholars Program

Publication Date

2004-11

Document Type

Article

Subjects

Adolescent; Adult; *Ambulatory Care Facilities; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Insurance Coverage; Male; Massachusetts; Middle Aged; *Patients; Poverty; Socioeconomic Factors

Disciplines

Community Health | Other Medical Specialties | Preventive Medicine

Abstract

This study examined factors associated with the use of three free clinics located in Central Massachusetts. A total of 248 patients completed a questionnaire during the 2-month study period. Descriptive results showed a majority of free clinic patients are low-income, uninsured, and female. Many patients (62%) do not have a usual source of care, nor do they know where to go if the clinic is not open (61%). Most (82%) report using free clinics because they lack insurance. Patients who had been using the free clinics longer than 1 year are more likely to use the clinic because of inadequate insurance (p = 0.002) and as a way to obtain prescription drugs (p < 0.001). Although they serve an important need, free clinics cannot provide comprehensive, continuous care. Efforts to provide health care to the medically underserved must take these findings into consideration if they are to be successful.

Source

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2004 Nov;15(4):603-17.

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of health care for the poor and underserved

Comments

Medical students Rachel Mott Keis and Linda Gifford DeGeus participated in this study as part of the Senior Scholars research program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Related Resources

Link to article in PubMed

PubMed ID

15531818

Link to Full Text

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