In 1997, the Federation for Community Planning, the administrative partner in a five- member consortium, commissioned an outcomes evaluation of the three on-site primary care clinics funded under the HRSA Health Services to Residents of Public Housing Project. Using a stratified random sampling approach, 423 heads of household, both clinic users and non-users were surveyed to determine the health practices of the 5,230 individuals comprising the study population. Reluctance to use the on-site clinics was the key outcome of interest for policymakers. Using logistic regression a model to predict on-site clinic use found that clinic use (at least one clinic visit during the study period) is significantly determined by a resident’s knowledge of services provided, the presence of at least one chronic condition, having insurance, and a continuing relationship with the county hospital system. However, a continuing relationship was also the key deterrent to developing and/or perceiving the on-site clinics as a regular source of care. These findings may have serious implications for community health planning and development. When on-site clinics are confronted with lack of use they may want to consider focusing on that segment of the population without a regular source of care, expand the target population to include residents from the entire statistical planning areas and, consider developing a niche market by providing care that can serve as a compliment to a regular source of care
Learning Objectives: 1.Identify two reasons why reluctance to use onsite primary care clinics is an important policy issue. 2. Identify and understand the key determinants affecting on-site clinic use. 3. Develop a social marketing plan to increase onsite clinic use
Keywords: Access to Health Care, Community-Based Partnership
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: A Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA funded evaluation
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.