The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56428

Heather Long¹, Cheri Agonia¹, and Roberta Malmgren, PhD². (1) School of Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, (2) School of Public Health - Epidemiology Department, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951772, Mail Code 177220, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772

The UCLA/Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition Mobile Clinic Project, a street-based clinic, was created in October, 2000 to address health and social service needs of homeless/marginally housed persons in Hollywood. The clinic is staffed by UCLA undergraduate and graduate volunteers, under supervision of a volunteer attending physician. A descriptive study was conducted to characterize the population of clients served by the mobile clinic. Demographic, social and medical history and treatment plan data were abstracted from 236 patients' charts, who attended the clinic between October, 2000 and July, 2002. The majority of clients were male (84%). Fifty percent of the clients either had no sleeping arrangements or slept outside, while only 2% reported staying in a public shelter. Forty-two percent had a high school education or less and 34% had some college. The main reasons clients sought care were: respiratory conditions (25%), skin problems (17%), and foot care (16%). Regarding health risk behavior, 49% were current smokers, 38% currently used alcohol, and 26% reported using drugs. Medication was given to half of the clients as part of the treatment plan, while 36% were referred to local health clinics for further assistance. Fewer clients were given preventive counseling (15%) and specific instructions on how to care for their chief medical problem (20%). This study shows how data on homeless mobile clinic clients can be used to improve services. Examples are given about how such data can form the basis for planning, prioritizing and monitoring a mobile clinic's future public health activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the health and social problems of clients attending the UCLA Mobile Clinic.
• Discuss how a team of interdisciplinary students collaborate to provide health and social services for the UCLA Mobile Clinic's clients.
• Describe how chart abstraction data can form the basis for planning, prioritizing and monitoring mobile clinic public health activities.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.