Descriptive Analysis of Community Based Needs among Asylum Seekers in the Greater Rhode Island Area before and after COVID-19: Evidence from a Student-Run Asylum Clinic

Abstract

The Brown Human Rights Asylum Clinic (BHRAC) is a medical-student-run asylum clinic which provides pro-bono medical and psychological affidavits for people in immigration proceedings. At the time of the evaluations for affidavits, a BHRAC student administers a Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) screener, evaluating clients for access to healthcare and social needs such as assistance with utilities payments and housing. Medical students follow up later and connect clients with trusted resources. This descriptive analysis reviews the population demographics; demonstrates common resource requests within our population before and after the start of COVID-19; and suggests possible improvements to our clinic model. Of clients who completed the SDoH screening, 89 per cent requested at least one form of assistance; their most common request was for mental health services, followed by English classes and medical services. No change to community resource request trends appeared before and after the start of COVID-19. Barriers encountered included delays and difficulty administering the survey to clients who did not speak English or Spanish, the ethical concern of the evaluation team also offering community resources for future care, and the changes resulting from annual rotation in BHRAC student leadership.