Patient Outcomes from Student-Run Health Services: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Background

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.