Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendations

Abstract Background Student-run free clinics are critical for medical education and medical care of underserved populations. This paper explores the feasibility of establishing ethical preventative health services at student-run free clinics such as the Rochester Education and Advocacy for Community...

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Main Authors: Anhmai Vu, Andrea R. Hsu, Nicholas M. Baumel, Jordan Holthe, Jade Y. Ho, Sophia Y. Goldberg, Leonardo Garcia Cerecedo, Nada Abou-Haiba, Robyn Kuchler, Zoe Fanning, Victoria Heigh, Edward Trimble, Eilene Yang, Julia Debertin, Larry J. Prokop, Jane W. Njeru
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06314-0
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author Anhmai Vu
Andrea R. Hsu
Nicholas M. Baumel
Jordan Holthe
Jade Y. Ho
Sophia Y. Goldberg
Leonardo Garcia Cerecedo
Nada Abou-Haiba
Robyn Kuchler
Zoe Fanning
Victoria Heigh
Edward Trimble
Eilene Yang
Julia Debertin
Larry J. Prokop
Jane W. Njeru
author_facet Anhmai Vu
Andrea R. Hsu
Nicholas M. Baumel
Jordan Holthe
Jade Y. Ho
Sophia Y. Goldberg
Leonardo Garcia Cerecedo
Nada Abou-Haiba
Robyn Kuchler
Zoe Fanning
Victoria Heigh
Edward Trimble
Eilene Yang
Julia Debertin
Larry J. Prokop
Jane W. Njeru
author_sort Anhmai Vu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Student-run free clinics are critical for medical education and medical care of underserved populations. This paper explores the feasibility of establishing ethical preventative health services at student-run free clinics such as the Rochester Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH) Clinic, affiliated with the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. Our analysis discusses the challenges and ethical considerations of providing preventative healthcare in student-run clinics. This paper also provides recommendations for implementing preventative care at REACH and other student-run clinics. Methods A literature search was conducted by an experienced librarian across four databases using keywords “student-run clinics” and “preventative healthcare.” Additionally, contributing authors identified and gathered data about community service organizations that provide preventative healthcare services to residents of Rochester, MN and surrounding areas. Results The literature search yielded 50 articles, 20 of which were included in the narrative review. Vaccinations and cancer screenings were the two preventative care initiatives most commonly undertaken by student-run clinics. The benefits of student-run clinic initiatives for both patients and students were an emerging theme. Clinics often achieved high vaccination and screening rates, and integration of preventative care topics into medical curricula was valued by students. However, the limitations of student-run clinics also emerged as a theme, particularly limitations to resources and comprehensive follow-up. 15 community health organizations in/around Rochester, MN were identified; of these, five provide preventative healthcare services. Conclusion Student-run clinics like REACH play a key role in delivering preventative care to underserved populations, bridging critical gaps in our healthcare system, and benefiting patients and students alike. However, the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence should be considered when student-run clinics decide what services to offer. Preventative care has been successfully implemented at other student-run clinics but requires careful arrangement of adequate follow-up care, especially when it comes to cancer screening. Vaccinations are a low-cost, high-impact initiative that can be feasibly implemented at most student-run clinics.
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spelling doaj-art-24ef70e64a2d41f9ba46af255b2ec86f2024-11-24T12:30:53ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-11-0124111210.1186/s12909-024-06314-0Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendationsAnhmai Vu0Andrea R. Hsu1Nicholas M. Baumel2Jordan Holthe3Jade Y. Ho4Sophia Y. Goldberg5Leonardo Garcia Cerecedo6Nada Abou-Haiba7Robyn Kuchler8Zoe Fanning9Victoria Heigh10Edward Trimble11Eilene Yang12Julia Debertin13Larry J. Prokop14Jane W. Njeru15Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic Library System, Mayo ClinicDivision of Community Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Mayo ClinicAbstract Background Student-run free clinics are critical for medical education and medical care of underserved populations. This paper explores the feasibility of establishing ethical preventative health services at student-run free clinics such as the Rochester Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH) Clinic, affiliated with the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. Our analysis discusses the challenges and ethical considerations of providing preventative healthcare in student-run clinics. This paper also provides recommendations for implementing preventative care at REACH and other student-run clinics. Methods A literature search was conducted by an experienced librarian across four databases using keywords “student-run clinics” and “preventative healthcare.” Additionally, contributing authors identified and gathered data about community service organizations that provide preventative healthcare services to residents of Rochester, MN and surrounding areas. Results The literature search yielded 50 articles, 20 of which were included in the narrative review. Vaccinations and cancer screenings were the two preventative care initiatives most commonly undertaken by student-run clinics. The benefits of student-run clinic initiatives for both patients and students were an emerging theme. Clinics often achieved high vaccination and screening rates, and integration of preventative care topics into medical curricula was valued by students. However, the limitations of student-run clinics also emerged as a theme, particularly limitations to resources and comprehensive follow-up. 15 community health organizations in/around Rochester, MN were identified; of these, five provide preventative healthcare services. Conclusion Student-run clinics like REACH play a key role in delivering preventative care to underserved populations, bridging critical gaps in our healthcare system, and benefiting patients and students alike. However, the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence should be considered when student-run clinics decide what services to offer. Preventative care has been successfully implemented at other student-run clinics but requires careful arrangement of adequate follow-up care, especially when it comes to cancer screening. Vaccinations are a low-cost, high-impact initiative that can be feasibly implemented at most student-run clinics.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06314-0Medical educationStudent-run clinicFree clinicVaccinesCancer screeningEthics
spellingShingle Anhmai Vu
Andrea R. Hsu
Nicholas M. Baumel
Jordan Holthe
Jade Y. Ho
Sophia Y. Goldberg
Leonardo Garcia Cerecedo
Nada Abou-Haiba
Robyn Kuchler
Zoe Fanning
Victoria Heigh
Edward Trimble
Eilene Yang
Julia Debertin
Larry J. Prokop
Jane W. Njeru
Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendations
BMC Medical Education
Medical education
Student-run clinic
Free clinic
Vaccines
Cancer screening
Ethics
title Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendations
title_full Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendations
title_fullStr Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendations
title_full_unstemmed Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendations
title_short Preventative care in student-run free clinics: a narrative review on feasibility, ethics, and recommendations
title_sort preventative care in student run free clinics a narrative review on feasibility ethics and recommendations
topic Medical education
Student-run clinic
Free clinic
Vaccines
Cancer screening
Ethics
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06314-0
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