Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (Mar 2022)
Patient Outcomes from Student-Run Health Services: An Integrative Review
Abstract
Patrick Broman,1 Ema Tokolahi,1,2 Oliver WA Wilson,1,3 Marrin Haggie,4 Patrea Andersen,1,5,6 Sharon Brownie1,7,8 1Centre for Health and Social Practice, Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand; 2School of Occupational Therapy, Otago Polytechnic, Hamilton, New Zealand; 3Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; 4Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand; 5School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia; 6School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia; 7School of Nursing, Midwifery & Public Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia; 8School of Medicine & Dentistry, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, AustraliaCorrespondence: Patrick Broman, Waikato Institute of Technology, Tristram Street, Hamilton, New Zealand, Tel +64 272070249, Email [email protected]: Student-run clinics (SRCs) offer an innovative approach to expand healthcare access and equity and increase clinical placement opportunities for students. However, research on the health benefits and/or outcomes of such clinics is currently fragmented.Methods: An integrative review was conducted to capture and synthesize findings across a range of study types involving varied student disciplines, student delivered intervention types, and health conditions addressed or care areas of focus. Only published and peer reviewed studies were included. Studies needed to report outcomes in a defined study group measured over time, or report SRC data with explicit comparisons to non-SRC settings. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to identify major themes and natural clustering of health outcomes measured.Results: Fifty-one articles were selected for review based on the eligibility criteria. Studies were predominantly from the United States, and most (n = 34, 67%) adopted a case review methodology for measuring outcomes. Health outcomes were evaluated in relation to a range of health conditions that, for the purposes of this review, were considered to naturally cluster into eight categories: diabetes, hypertension, functional health/quality of life, depression, hospital utilization, substance use, weight, health screening/vaccinations, and others.Conclusion: This integrative review sought to evaluate the health outcomes accrued by patients in student-run health clinics. Taken as a whole, the literature suggests positive health outcomes resulting from student-run clinics across a range of health conditions. Greater confidence in care-related findings would be achieved from future research utilizing more robust and prospective study designs.Keywords: student-run clinic, student-led clinic, student-delivered, patient outcomes, interprofessional education, medical education
