Implementing Scheduled Women’s Health Clinics at Free Student Outreach Clinic

Abstract

Introduction/Problem: Since 2009, Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic (IU-SOC) has served the underinsured and uninsured members of the Indianapolis community. Many barriers to care exist within this community, from low income to lack of documented immigration status. One of the most concerning vulnerable populations observed was pregnant patients. Five years ago, the IU-SOC addressed this via creation of Women’s Health days on Saturdays every other month and in 2020 by creating an as needed prenatal clinic. However, the need still existed for general, non-prenatal women’s health concerns, which led to the expansion to a twice monthly general women’s clinic staffed by a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN). Methods/Interventions: In April 2021, twice monthly scheduled clinics were implemented for two hours on Wednesday evenings staffed by OB/GYNs or obstetrics-trained family medicine physicians. Additionally, the team available on Wednesday clinics expanded to include a women’s health specific clinic manager, women’s health patient navigator to facilitate referrals, and women’s health education specialist to address low health literacy. Results: In 2021, 15 women’s health clinic days have been hosted since April,expanding beyond prenatal patients and resulting in increased volume of this clinic. There were a total of 36 patient encounters from 31 different patients including eight pregnant patients. Other chief concerns addressed at the clinic included: infertility/preconception counseling, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain/mass, vaginal itching, dyspareunia, and preventive women’s health visit. Six patients received pap smears and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening. Low pap smear and STI screening rates at the women’s health clinic are attributed to the presence of women’s health fourth year student representatives at general clinic days ensuring most patients receive pap smears and STI screenings prior to referral. Conclusion: We implemented a twice-monthly, referral-based women’s health clinic in 2021 that has successfully provided care for 31 different patients including eight pregnant patients for a variety of chief concerns and preventive care encounters. The presence of a certified OB/GYN has ensured appropriate management of prenatal and primary care women’s health issues. Consistent provision of women’s health care services helps to mitigate the many barriers to women’s health care in our Indianapolis community.