The Effect of an Interprofessional Student-Run Free Clinic on Student Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Care and the Underserved

Service learning through interprofessional (IP) student-run clinics (SRC) has been utilized as a method of teaching IP competencies and improving attitudes toward the underserved. Evidence-based outcomes of this educational model have not yet been demonstrated. The University of Southern California (USC) SRC designed a study to assess the impact of its novel IP model of healthcare on student perspectives toward IP team-based care and the underserved. 

This study compares attitudes between students cohorts pre- vs. post-clinic. Student attitudes varied between professions on IP experiences and involvement in community health efforts. Additional data is needed to assess attitude changes in individual students. Limitations include a discrepancy between students completing both pre- and post-surveys. There may be an inherent selection bias, as students who attend clinic may be more empathetic or interested in working with this population.

The experience of team-based care in an IP SRC did not demonstrate a significant impact on student attitudes toward both interdisciplinary care and the underserved. However, differences in perceptions of involvement in community health efforts are noted. Additional data is needed. This highlights the need to adapt protocols to distribute surveys more reliably across all professions pre- and post-clinic.