What is the quality of preventive care provided in a student-run free clinic?

Abstract

Background: The quality of preventive care provided in student-run free clinics has not been well documented, although an increasing number of vulnerable populations seek care in these settings.

Objective: To examine the rate of preventive care services provided in one student-run free clinic compared with national data. Design. Cross-sectional chart review.

Participants: Randomly selected patients seen between October 2008 and 2009.

Main measures: Preventive screening guidelines by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Key results: Among 114 patient charts examined, 48 (42.1%) received an HIV test, which did not differ from national rates (40.8%, p=.78). Similarly, 63.3% of patients received a fasting blood glucose test (64.2%, p=.92). Among eligible patients, 59.6% received a fasting lipid panel and 54.6% a Pap smear; lower than national rates (86.6%, p<.001, and 70.5%, p=.001 respectively), but not different compared with uninsured nationally (61.5%, p=.79, and 54.7%, p=.98).

Conclusions: This student-run free clinic provided preventive services at comparable rates to national levels, but short of goals specified in Healthy People 2020.