Free clinic educational interventions for patients with chronic disease

The implementation of community-based programs tailored to underserved patients who do not have access to quality health care can impact future health outcomes. Addressing these chronic disease issues is critical to intervene in communities and develop effective management solutions pertinent to one’s health status. Many public-health objectives have been suggested for further evaluation through national Healthy People 2020 goals. Free clinics are intended to provide quality health care to individuals who do not have the ability to pay for medical expenses because of socioeconomic disadvantages. Vulnerable patient populations located in medically underserved regions are affected to a greater degree than the average city-dwelling communities, and potential interventions to tackle pertinent factors influencing positive health outcomes could provide improvements. Tailored educational models in free clinic settings can impact health behaviors and management in susceptible patients with chronic disease. Empathy and compassion are essential criteria to being able to effectively serve free clinic populations. It is important to implement interventions where healthcare providers must look at their patients holistically: what are their needs and barriers to care?