Outreach in urban clinics: a descriptive study

Abstract

Outreach services were initially conceived as important elements of neighborhood health centers, but they have not been shown to be effective in outcome evaluations. This study examines the outreach programs in 11 community clinics in Seattle. Interviews were conducted with the program directors and outreach workers of these clinics. Outreach programs have failed to provide an adequate number of jobs and career opportunities for the poor. Workers have not been carefully selected and trained, and goals and objectives of the program have been vague. Unstable funding of outreach has affected the quality as well as the size of the programs. Reasons for the inadequate implementation of the concept of outreach are discussed, and suggestions are made for future programs.