Free clinic educational interventions for patients with chronic disease

Abstract

The implementation of community-based programs tailored to underserved patients who do not have access to quality health care can impact future health outcomes. Addressing these chronic disease issues is critical to intervene in communities and develop effective management solutions pertinent to one's health status. Many public-health objectives have been suggested for further evaluation through national Healthy People 2020 goals. Free clinics are intended to provide quality health care to individuals who do not have the ability to pay for medical expenses because of socioeconomic disadvantages. Vulnerable patient populations located in medically underserved regions are affected to a greater degree than the average city-dwelling communities, and potential interventions to tackle pertinent factors influencing positive health outcomes could provide improvements. Tailored educational models in free clinic settings can impact health behaviors and management in susceptible patients with chronic disease. Empathy and compassion are essential criteria to being able to effectively serve free clinic populations. It is important to implement interventions where healthcare providers must look at their patients holistically: what are their needs and barriers to care?

Incremental levels of diagnostic information incentivize health-seeking in non-alcoholic fatty liver: a randomized clinical trial

“…The impact of diagnosis information provision on patient’s behavior after the diagnosis of chronic diseases has been scarcely explored, most of the research to promote health behavior change has been focused on health counseling, online peer support, and lastly by using of technology to deliver health behavior interventions 17 , 18 .…”

Increasing Patient Activation at a Student-Run Free Clinic: Effectiveness of a Health Education Intervention

“…[1][2][3] As an important access point to the healthcare system, free clinics can also represent a unique opportunity for targeted health education interventions for individuals who might otherwise have no venue to receive this information. 1,4,5 Despite this, due to the transient nature of the care given at free clinics, it is often difficult to track the effectiveness of such health education interventions on health outcomes among patients. 5 Patient activation is defined as patients' understanding of the actions for which they are responsible regarding their own health and care.…”

“…1,4,5 Despite this, due to the transient nature of the care given at free clinics, it is often difficult to track the effectiveness of such health education interventions on health outcomes among patients. 5 Patient activation is defined as patients' understanding of the actions for which they are responsible regarding their own health and care. 6 Tools measuring patient activation quantify a patient's level of activation for his or her specific health condition using a developmental model of "activation" that encompasses four stages: (1) believing that their role is important, (2) having the confidence and knowledge necessary to take action, (3) actually taking action to improve one's health, and (4) having the ability to stay the course even under stressful circumstances.…”