Addressing Social Determinants of Health in a Free Clinic Setting: A Student-Run Free Clinic and Community Resource Navigator Program.

Abstract

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOH) disproportionately affect medically-underserved populations such as those cared for in student-run free clinics (SRFCs). Community resource programs which address SDOH play an important role in reducing health disparities. The Southside MEDiC Clinic (SMC), a SRFC at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, partnered with the Community Resource Navigator Program (CRNP), a community resource program focused on addressing SDOH, to remove barriers that prevent positive health outcomes for SMC patients.

Aim: Our objective is to describe the partnership between the SMC and the CRNP. We hope this design may be used as a model for addressing SDOH in other SRFCs.

Discussion: Partnership goals include improved patient perception of health, increased communication between patients and the clinic, and enhanced opportunities for volunteer action learning. Challenges discussed include adaptation to unique clinics. Future directions and potential advancements in this partnership are also addressed.