Student-led health education programmes in the waiting room of a free clinic for uninsured patients

Abstract

Objective: Free clinics provide free or reduced fee healthcare to individuals who lack access to primary care and are socio-economically disadvantaged in the USA. Free clinic patients may have health education needs, but experience barriers to attending health education programmes. In an attempt to reach out to free clinic patients who might not otherwise attend health education classes, this project examined the efficacy of student-led health education classes conducted in the waiting room prior to a patient’s appointment with a provider. Design: The classes had two areas of focus: women’s health and health information. Health educators and Spanish interpreters were graduate and undergraduate students. Setting: This study was conducted in the waiting room of a free clinic in the Intermountain West region of the USA. Method: The health education classes were held 22 times in total from late August to early December 2014. Results: While the survey-based assessment of the programme did not show a difference in levels of health consciousness, health information seeking and health attitudes, the programme potentially increased interest in attending the health education classes. Conclusion: There were some challenges associated with the implementation of a health education class in the waiting room setting, particularly in regards to environments, evaluation and interpretation services. Future projects are needed to address challenges associated with conducting a health education class in a waiting room setting. In addition, a variety of health topics, evidence-based evaluation and interpreter services are key for future success.