Introduction
Recent research studies have established the need for healthcare as an additional necessity besides food, shelter, and clothing. Nevertheless, individuals, families, and communities still struggle to achieve this modern-day necessity. According to Garvin (2013), healthcare has remained evasive to a particular group of people defined by their inability to acquire medical insurance and other related necessities.
Although the government has done a commendable job in trying to reach out to the poor in the society, there yet remain unattended segments within specific communities and neighborhoods. It is thus imperative for such neighborhoods to receive medical care via the introduction of free clinics. Written from the perspective of a communication specialist, this paper describes in detail the process and benefits of the free clinic program for the public.
Body
Background of neighborhood
It is important to begin by looking at the background of the neighborhood to establish the reason why it qualifies for a free clinic program. Firstly, statistical research indicates that more than 50% of deaths occurring in the neighborhood are preventable via the provision of health care services. In addition, only 13% of the community’s populace has access to medical insurance. Even more worrying is a recent realization that the percentage of maternal deaths is on the increase. These aspects indicate that the neighborhood qualifies for a free clinic program.
The process
Needs assessment
Despite having realized the need to provide healthcare services to the poor neighborhood, it is equally important to assess the needs of the people. This will help make pitches for volunteers or funding through the acquisition of a clear understanding of health-related needs in the neighborhood (Garvin, 2013). One of the best ways to establish specific needs in the neighborhood is by carefully analyzing data available in health agencies, municipal departments of health and human services, or local hospitals to get statistical or qualitative data on the scope of the problem (Garvin, 2013). After acquiring acquaintance with specific needs in the community, it would become easier to identify people needed in the course of the program.
Steering committee
As Wolkon (2012) opines, it is important to develop a steering committee to have a group of dedicated people to share tasks, get community buy-in and problem-solving. As such, the committee spearheading the free clinic should incorporate other people who have been carrying out similar work within the neighborhood. The visionary of the clinic together with competent assistants should also be keen to find people who are committed, have the time and energy for this project and have the right connections and skills to make the clinic both a reality and a success (Wolkon, 2012). Achieving the first two requirements paves way for an in-depth analysis of resources available for the task ahead.
Resource assessment
Research indicates that critical evaluation of resources available is vital in determining and developing specific types of services for specific neighborhoods and communities (Garvin, 2013). More importantly, resource assessment will aid in identifying potential collaborators and referral sources. Such assessment procedures take the form of making contact with existing organizations to make inquiries about currently available services (Wolkon, 2012). Consequently, pioneers of the free clinic will be able to determine unattended needs and prioritize their services to suit the specific neighborhood. Finally, it is important to consider the legal requirements governing free clinics.
Benefits
There are numerous benefits attached to well-planned and executed free clinic programs. These benefits cut across all lifestyles but only a few reap the full benefits. The best suited according to this particular program are patients in the neighborhood and future physicians (Blatti, 2011).
Patients
Because practitioners will be dealing with a low-income neighborhood where people cannot afford medical insurance, the free clinic program will firstly influence the lives of patients. Consequently, lives will be saved and pro-longed as opposed to a situation where there is a lack of medical services (Garvin, 2013).
Future physicians
Volunteers in free clinic programs are mostly comprised of medical students aspiring to fit into the recognized medical fraternity. As such, the free clinic will provide them with the opportunity to interact with patients firsthand, deal with real situations and work under instructions. According to Garvin (2013), aspiring medical practitioners can only become effective after having worked under supervision. The free medical clinic avails that opportunity.
Conclusion
Free medical clinics are important especially in dealing with low-income communities and neighborhoods. Taking the form of an informative paper its details have described the process and benefits of the free clinic program for the public. The body of the paper began with the background of the neighborhood to provide a rationale for the free clinic program. The process described the decisions and steps necessary for establishing a sustainable free clinic.
Under the process section, the paper handles need assessment, steering committee, and resource assessment. The final part of the body enlightened on the benefits of the free clinic program segmenting into patients and future physicians. It is clear from the paper that a well-planned and organized free clinic program can accrue tremendous results.
References
Blatti, G. (2011). Process And Content Problems of Primary Care Personnel: The Health Care Team. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 4(1), 151-162.
Garvin, J. (2013). Free Clinic. Southern Medical Journal, 8(4), 258-365.
Wolkon, G. (2012). Review of the free clinic handbook. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 6(2), 104-104.