4181.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 3:06 PM

Abstract #3842

Role of volunteer-based clinics in meeting the healthcare needs of the uninsured

Stephanie L. Geller, EdM1, Buck M. Taylor, MPH2, and H. Denman Scott, MD, MPH1. (1) Volunteers in Health Care, Brown University Center for Primary Care and Prevention, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, 401-729-3575, Stephanie_Geller@mhri.org, (2) College of Nursing, Montana State University, 118 Sherrick Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717-3560

The U.S. Census Bureau recently estimated that there are 44.3 million Americans without health insurance, and unless there is a dramatic change in policy, the number of uninsured is expected to climb every year and reach 55 million by 2008. For the uninsured with few funds, there are a limited number of healthcare options. To assist in filling this hole in the current healthcare system, hundreds of volunteer-based clinics, sometimes known as "free clinics," have sprung up across the country. These clinics depend on the philanthropic community for support and operate largely through the efforts of volunteer medical providers and laypersons with an interest in providing care to the uninsured. Although volunteer-based clinics have existed for more than four decades, very little data on such clinics exists. This presentation will describe a mail survey conducted by a network of volunteer-based clinics in seven Midwestern states. 106 clinics provided data on their patient population, services offered, volunteer clinicians, and model of care. There will never be enough volunteer-based clinics in every community to address the uninsured population in the United States, and these clinics are in no way a solution to the problem. However, the results of this survey provide information on a group of safety net providers that is often overlooked. Given the current lack of healthcare options for the uninsured, volunteer-based clinics deserve continued support and assistance from the healthcare and philanthropic arenas.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe how volunteer-based clinics operate, how they differ from other types of safety net providers, and the role they play in providing care for the uninsured.
  2. Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the volunteer-based clinic model.
  3. Discuss how volunteer-based clinics could be incorporated into broad policy initiatives aimed at increasing access to healthcare for the uninsured.

Keywords: Free Health Clinics, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Free Clinics of the Great Lakes Region is funded by the Kellogg Foundation. Volunteers in Health Care is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA