Addressing Training and Structural Challenges in a Case Management Volunteer Program at the Worcester Free Clinics
Abstract
Patients at the Worcester Free Clinics (WFC) face a host of social and health insecurities, including inadequate food, housing, transportation and lack of health insurance. While University of Massachusetts faculty, students, and health care professionals in partner institutions at the WFC are able to provide temporary health services to alleviate a few of these challenges, our ultimate goal is to support patients in establishing long-term care independent of the free clinics. One of the ways we are accomplishing this is through case management, where medical student volunteers help patients access long-term health care via 1) navigation of health insurance applications 2) referrals to free and affordable resources in the Worcester community and 3) researching/choosing primary-care physicians after successful acquisition of health insurance. In this brief communication, we discuss current challenges and plans to establish a more dynamic workflow for case managers.