What Influences Free Clinic Usage by the Uninsured

What Influences release Clinic Us be on by the uninsur fitting? By Shelli Thomason A Paper Submitted to Dr. Dayna McDaniel Research Methods PA6601 Term 5, 2012 Troy University July 27, 2012 set back OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 Introduction .. 4 Statement of the line. 5 2. 1 Purpose . 6 2. 2 puzzle Statement.. .. 6 2. 3 Research Questions 6 2. 4 Scope. 1. Literature appraise.. 9 Dependent inconsistent.. 9 inaugural separatist changeable 11 2nd In strung-out protean.. 13 3rd In symbiotic protean 14 4th In dependant protean 16 4Hypothesis.. 18 4. 1 H1 hypothesis one.. 18 4. 2 H2 hypothesis cardinal.. 18 4. 3 H3 hypothesis leash18 4. H4 hypothesis quaternion. 18 Chapter II Methodology Design.. 18 Population/ try. 20 Variables21 Dependent Variable 21 In subject Variables.. . 22 nurture Collection.. 22 Measuring Instrument . 22 Materials. 23 Delivery Method.. 24Data Analysis. . 24 Chapter iii Anticipated Findings.. 25 Chapter IV Conclusion. 25 Implications.. 26 Recommenda tions26 References28 30 Appendices addendum A Schematic Model. . .. 31 Appendix B Formula for Calculating Population prototype Size. . .. 32 Appendix C watch. 33 35 Appendix D Demographics.. 36 Appendix E Example of Multiple Regression results37 Chapter 1 Introduction M to each one unify States residents delay or do without obligatory substantiallynessc atomic procedure 18 beca role they omit the re points or association to access it. There ar 46 million throng in the nation who deplete no wellness get by c everywhere age, and by non giving necessity attend to checkup exam concerns and conditions, poor wellness adventures amplification, along with untimely mortality (Darnell, 2010).A Kaiser commission lead from 2006 identifies on that point be 18,000 deaths formly in the coupled States resulting from privation of wellness upkeep themeing (Trask, 2011). Recent number Bureau shows a slightly heightser(pre nominal phrase) number of uninsurab le indicating there ar 50 million uninsurable, which would be the largest number on record, resulting from the interior(a) economic niche (Krisberg, 2010). fit to Darnell (2010), there be 1007 allay clinics in the nation, providing services during 3. 5 million clinic twaddles, by 1. 8 million uninsurable patients, representing approximately 10% of uninsurable adults of functional age.The patients name no some opposite wellness business concern alternatives to a loose clinic due to a soma of pointors including no cogency to pay, language barriers, lack of or in competent wellness check checkup amends, unsettled mortalness, inaccessibility, and immigration or ethnicity issues. As close non-profit organizations, dethaw-clinics atomic number 18 non recipients of federal funding, so numerous rely on state funding, local anaesthetic funding, and usurpations. Depaul (2010) notes that the National Association of cede Clinics adjudicated four million patie nts were seen in 2008, which duplicate in 2009.It is likewise storied that lighten clinics drop to turn away patients beca theatrical role they fundamentnot meet the demands. In a tweed paper for the Ameri foundation College of Physicians, Gorman (2004) notes, those who do not regain one- form exams and onus screenings run the risk of a delayed diagnosis and later(prenominal) intercession, resulting in premature mortality. Additionally, untreated chronic symptoms result in worsen conditions and damagely requirement brake dole out, placing a financial burden on infirmarys, families and stand up on the alliance. Further much(prenominal), prep atomic number 18ers who experience poor wellness go through lower productiveness which is existly to the economy. hence, big clinics are a crucial component in the consortium of health accusation options in the United States. Isaacs and Jellinek (2007), state that 80 % of patients who receive primary address at a phy sicians office are either uninsured or sacrifice Medicaid. Although physicians whitethorn see uninsured patients in their offices and take on a a couple of(prenominal) of them as charitable cases, this practice is declining minded(p) lower insurance and Medicaid reimbursements and increase operational expenses. The nation has what is referred to as a rubber eraser net governing body to propose health give accusation services for residents who are uninsured.This system is comp leap outd of infirmary emergency live, publicly funded health centers, and giving clinics. With be of health anxiety escalating, it is crucial to identify systems to in effect optimize these providers. It has been suggested that accessibility to un part withze clinics, which whitethorn keep the uninsured from accessing the ER for non-emergent wish, is one such(prenominal) pitch. Stu intermits show uninsured somebodys utilizing a still clinic hasten few emergency room bids than those who do frequent the ER for their primary accusation, which renders cost savings (Trask, 2011). Statement of the Problem PurposeThe purpose in this check up on is to make determinations as to what factors persuade an uninsured individuals decision to access the services of a handsome clinic. In an effort to answer this oral sex, factors allowing be recognized, through research, monumental to a soulfulness making the decision to take in a redundant clinic for aesculapian care. Uncovering these factors could assist in discouraging the mis purpose of opposite types of medical safety net provisions. One assume shows if the multitude study did not energise use of a degage clinic, 80% of the visits would have resulted in ER visits for non-emergency treatments (Corso &038 Fertig, 2011).This information could to a fault assist in identifying strategies to effectively address the health care requests of constituents and provide funding sources with cognition to make educated decisions on the most effective use of funds. Problem Statement This project bequeath pinpoint the most acute variants influencing an uninsured person to seek treatment at a discontinue health clinic, allowing local government predateers and medical providers to have access to research so they whitethorn further understand areas in which to place their digest and funding.Further much, an ancillary reason for study is to show that by providing an uninsured person who is truly ill with a way to achieve wellness, they send packing get down viable again, thus becoming a more productive worker, who may regain insurance and no longer request the plain service, or any early(a)wise type of medical care. If a person has a resource within which to address health concerns, that does not present them with barriers, they are probable to receive the necessary care trained, simplification further complications and cost, placing them in a position to become more sustainable.In one he althcare gallium study, evidence shows that vindicate clinics can halt the escalation of health problems, lessen or eliminating the posit for hospitalization (Corso &038 Fertig, 2011). Research skepticisms This project forget focus on four research questions that allow for aide in identifying specific factors that fix an uninsured person to use a drop out clinic (dependent variable). The primary question to be asked is What factors lure an uninsured person to use a free clinic? Research questions inquiring virtually those enchants ( unaffiliated variables) are 1) Does lack of alternative health care options influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic? 2) Does ho exploitation situation influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic? 3) Does Hispanic ethnicity influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic? 4) Does age influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic? The breakaway variables thought to influence the dependent variable are delineate so t here is a clear understanding of their meaning.Lack of oppositewise alternatives Many users of free clinics may have no other options for health care than a free clinic. They may be utilise, precisely cannot unfold the health care premiums expanded by their employer or the employer does not offer health reporting. 83 portion of the patients seen at free clinics come from a workings(a) family line and may hold cardinal or three section time jobs (DePaul, 2010). Federally funded community health centers, different from free clinics, are typically located in rural or inner-city areas and help go to a large number of patients in high-needs communities.In 2009, the Government Accountability top executive indicated that even with 8000 community health centers, there were still 43 percent of underserved areas without access (Whelan, 2010). Ho victimisation Status The definition of unsettled is a broader mountain chain than merely the universe living on the streets and ho lds individuals in a general figure of unstable hold scenarios. Homeless individuals do not and live under bridges or in a car, still may also reside in emergency shelters foster spaces HUDs terminology of doubling up with relatives or friends or tenants who have been served an legal ouster notice.Unstable housing status is a high risk factor for health disparities, much like genetics or eating habits. On average, a roofless person has eight to nine coexisting health problems (Batra et al. , 2009). A study of 6,308 homeless Philadelphians determined the mortality rate among the homeless was 3. 5 meter that of the citys general universe of discourse. Earlier research has also noted the homeless have escalated rates of a vast musical composition of health problems (Lewis, Andersen and Gelberg, 2003). age Different clinics have differing eligibility for the patients they serve.Many states have the option to offer an insurance plan covering children through the passage of the Childrens health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (Llano, 2011), then those over age 65 have Medicare. Therefore some(prenominal) a(prenominal) clinics tend to turn their efforts toward those uninsured patients among the ages of 18-64. A 2004 study shows that overall general health significantly declines for those in the midst of age 50 and 60 if they are uninsured, underinsured or sporadically insured, compared to their counter bug outs who have adequate health coverage (Inguanzo and Kaplan, 2011).Hispanic Ethnicity Llano (2011) states the greatest hindrance to health care for Hispanics is the language barrier. Providers of service have difficulty communicating with Spanish mouth patients if there is no interpreter available, which may cause compromised diagnoses, treatment options and posture referrals. Census Bureau info reveals that in 2010, 38. 7 percent of uninsured American residents were Hispanic (Inguanzo &038 Kaplan, 2011). Scope A refresh bequeath be c ompleted, as part of this research. This projects scope allow investigate what influences an uninsured persons visit to a free clinic.It get out assist the free clinic administration in further developing strategic plans to make determinations on where their efforts should be focused. It may also contri thoe to local governments and other potential grantors decisions on making allocations. Free clinic customs is the primary focus, although the collective information may show related ap advance motions and concerns shaping to area healthcare providers and local governments. Each person evaluateed forget be treated equally. This studys prototype tribe willing complicate patients of two free clinics Community of Hope wellness Clinic and Cahaba Valley health Care Clinic in Shelby County, atomic number 13.The clinic alone sees uninsured patients on Mondays from 830 am to 430 pm and Thursdays from 530 pm to 830 pm. They must show proof of residency in Shelby County. Literatu re Review Dependent variable Free clinic drill by the uninsured As stated earlier, experts concur that there are over 1000 free clinics in the nation, providing services during 3. 5 million clinic visits, by approximately 10% of uninsured adults of working age (Darnell, 2010 Gertz, Frank and Blixen, 2010 George majuscule University Report to Congress, 2012).This equates to approximately 90% of uninsured adults who are not utilizing a free clinic for their medical needs. Gertz, Frank and Blixen (2010) go further to say that since 1980, when there were 30 million uninsured people, there has been a 50% increase to 45 million. From a statewide perspective, Rhode Island rebrinys consistent with national aims, as uninsured working age adults under age 64 doubled amid 2000 and 2005, citing the waning of employer health care coverage (Gerber, et al. , 2008). The yearly cost associated with uncompensated medical treatment for the uninsured in the nation was $56 million in 2008.Determinat ions were made to suggest that use of emergency rooms for non-emergent care, along with rising hospitalization which could have been prevented are on the rise and creating costly problems. Communities are seeking other solutions to provide health care to the uninsured, which ability intromit free clinics, mobile clinics, and church and shallow sites to broadcast treatment (Fertig, A. , Corso, P. &038 Balasubramaniam, D. , 2011). As stated earlier, free clinics are an all important(p) part of the United States health safety net, serving in the main the uninsured, working poor.Historically, given minimal resources and relying on volunteer health care providers, free clinics have focused on gap filling, temporary solutions to the communitys health problems. Implementing a sensitive paradigm, free clinics are straight off making disease prevention and health promotion a top priority (Scariarti &038 Williams, 2007). A nationwide cross-sectional study using a visual sense was c onducted by Gertz, Frank and Blixen (2010) which they compared to the nevertheless other faren published study of its kind by Nadkarni, et. al from 2005 to determine free clinic characteristics.Both studies revealed a mean of between 4,000 and 6,000 uninsured visits to the free clinics annually, and a third study agrees that most (67%) are located in the randomnessern region of the United States (Gertz, Frank &038 Blixen, 2010 George working capital University Report to Congress, 2012). Additionally, 77% of the responsives of the Gertz, Frank and Blixen study (2010) indicated the level of care received at free clinics was superior to prior medical care received, and 24% indicated if there was no free clinic available, they would not seek care, mainly due to cost.A high number of free clinics seem to function as a fixed source of medical care for their patients. The studyity of free clinics describe the service they provide to their patients as continuing, 20 percent indicate the care as recurrent, and 5 percent depicted the care as irregular, only seeing a patient once (George Washington University Report to Congress, 2012).In contrast, prior to the recent national economic recession, a study associated with the utilization of three Massachusetts free clinics was conducted to determine what factors influenced people to use the free clinics, when it appeared there were a variety of ample options for medical care irrespective of health care coverage or income level. Although the study unveiled the three free clinics saw patients who had insurance, 81% of the respondents were uninsured (Keis, DeGeus, Cashman &038 Savageau, 2004).Lack of health care coverage, is the vith-leading cause of death, equate to 18,000 deaths annually for adults between the ages of 25 and 64 (Groman, 2004). The uninsured person may encounter gruelling financial and wellness obstacles, limiting their ability to obtain medical care and many times become indebted and more ill, as a result. A study conducted by Becker (2001) found that not only did uninsured persons with chronic health conditions lack adequate health care their illnesses were also inadequately managed.Other determinations were that with deficiencies of education regarding their health, those persons who are uninsured lacked the information, understanding, and resources that would allow them to manage their illnesses more effectively. Many uninsured patients can pay more than double the cost if they are forced to use a hospital for their care, due to the unfitness for price leveraging that medical insurance providers can afford (Groman, 2004). 1st free-living variable Lack of other optionsThe National Association of Free Clinics indicates they see patients they never thought would come to a free clinic, with 83% of free clinic patients come from working home, but cannot afford COBRA if they have scattered a job and are now working several part time jobs. Patients have reported they would lik ely go the ER or not seek care if they did not have access to a free clinic (Depaul, 2010). Private practice revivifys are the primary source of health care for the uninsured, mainly because, historically, they have been plentiful in numbers, with 720,000 providing care fit to Isaacs &038 Jellinek (2007).A second expert (Groman, R. 2004), agrees that free care by physicians is decreasing, which will greatly impact the medical safety net with growing numbers of uninsured. As stated earlier, the decline is largely the result of higher operating costs and inadequate Medicare reimbursement rates, prohibiting the doctors from creation able to treat those who cannot pay (Isaacs &038 Jellinek, 2007). Even though charity from practicing physicians plays a vital role in treating the uninsured, they are not stand-ins for health insurance. Because of revisions to financing and rganization of medical care systems, doctors indicate in a New York Academy of Medicine study, they are unable to p rovide the equivalent class of care to the uninsured, as they provide to patients who have health care coverage (Groman, R. , 2004). A recent report to Congress indicates that free clinics overall see millions of uninsured persons who may not achieve any level of care elsewhere. One study highlighted in the report revealed four main reason listed in roam of function, people use a free clinic are no health insurance (82%), referrals by others (59%), medications (38%), and no lie withledge of where else to go (34%).The report also states that three quarters of free clinic patients do not have a regular method of care debar the free clinic or the ER, suggesting free clinics fill voids, offering services not available (or easily r severallyed) somewhere else (George Washington University Report to Congress, 2012). The Keis, et al. (2004) study is in accord with the report to Congress in that one-third of canvas respondent gave their reason for using a free clinic as not de write where else to go to receive medical attention.Another one-third cited lack of transportation, long await times, finding child care or inability to leave work as the primary reasons they could not use other types of medical providers and preferably sought treatment at a free clinic. As already visualiseed, access to local safety net providers has limits to readiness in other ways as well. For example, in Jeffrey Trasks unpublished dissertation (2011), he cites and agrees with the Keis study stating that other than the emergency room, many safety net providers arent open in the evenings or are scarce, so due to the need to work, a patients only option may be a free clinic open in the evenings.Likewise, clients of free clinics forego aft(prenominal) care or specialty care only a hospital can offer due to costs. Trask (2011) gives the example, when an uninsured person using a free clinic needs redundant services outside the free clinics scope of care, sometimes old or bad debt is a major obstacle to receiving necessary treatment. Finally, options are limited for people who are not legally residing in the country. A collective characteristic of a free clinic is capacity to treat any patient without documentation regarding immigration status (Keis 2004).In a 2010 national wad, a census, the stolon of its kind in 40 eld, 764 clinics were deemed eligible out of 1188 surveys mailed. A finding from the study uncovered that free clinics are a more important aspect of the national safety net, especially in the area of ambulatory care that filiationally thought. However, only 188 of the clinics surveyed offered all-inclusive services, and the survey concluded that a free clinic is not a replacement for comprehensive primary care (Darnell, 2010). 2nd independent variable Hispanic ethnicity Hispanic persons comprise approximately 16 percent of the population in the U.S. but make up 25 percent of free clinic patients. Experts agree that unbalanced degree of Hispanic patients in free clinics indicates higher rates of lack of health care coverage among this chemical group (George Washington University Report to Congress, 2012 Isaacs &038 Jellinek, 2007), with the latter authors citing an example from a Racine, Wisconsin clinic who had a one percent Hispanic patient base in late 1980s and a 50 percent Hispanic patients in 2006. Results were compared from two student-run free clinic studies on clinic characteristics and concurred that most of the patients were minorities.One study of 59 clinics reported that 31% of the patients seen were Hispanic, plot the other study of 39 clinics revealed 53% of patients were Hispanic. The student run clinics demographic is rather different from non-student run clinic who report a client base of mainly non-Hispanic people (Gertz, Frank &038 Blixen, 2010). Studies indicate that Hispanic persons are more likely than non-Hispanics to fail to complete the Medicaid application and miss important dates for submittin g required documentation.Furthermore, 43 percent of Hispanics who speak Spanish had communication problems with physicians compared to 16 percent of Caucasians and non-English speakers had more difficulty in comprehending doctor orders (Llano, 2011). Because of non-existent health insurance and consequently no immunizations, a considerable outbreak of rubella plagued a Hispanic community in New York in the late 90s. The outbreak spread to beside communities and those with insurance were just as affected. In communities with high numbers of uninsured residents, it becomes more ifficult to provide disease control, and medical personnel have fewer opportunities to identify early onset of outbreaks, hampering containment efforts (Groman, 2004). In a report examining the unmet medical needs of the nations Latino population conducted by the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Internal Medicine, it was discovered that uninsured women had double the likelihood as th eir non-Latino peers to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the later stages and uninsured Latino men were four times as likely to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis compared to non-Latino men.It is suggested that Hispanic and Latino immigrants are very unlikely to have the ability to access health care services due to governmental restrictions of the Personal Responsibility and Work opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and fear that their citizenship opportunities will be compromised by attempting to beneficial public aid assistance (Inguanzo and Kaplan, 2011). 3rd independent variable Homelessness According to Wilson (2009), there are close to 800,000 homeless people in the nation, many of which have multiple disorders to include asthma, nutritional deficiencies, skin infections, wounds, and diabetes, to name a few.Wilsons and OConnells research goes on to say that the homeless persons ailments which are largely left untreated and worsen, lead to devastating illness. The mort ality rate is excessively high in the homeless populace. OConnell (2005) agrees with Wilsons conclusions with regard to high mortality rates, and that homeless people are three to four times more likely to die than the general population. The risk is greatly increased in those homeless persons between the ages of 18 and 54, and that junior homeless women are four to 31 times more likely to die than their housed counterparts.Life expectancy in the general population is 78 years of age, and falls to between 42 and 52 years of age for the homeless population (OConnell, 2005). Approximately 9 to 15% of the US population becomes homeless during their lifetime. Those who are truly without a place to suffer and are considered literally homeless may be included in this figure, although the homeless are transient and in and out of shelters. Additionally, this figure may include those who HUD calls doubled up or couch-homeless. Other developed countries have a lower rate of this ategory of homelessness than the United States (Hoback and Anderson, n. d. ). For the U. S. overall in 2000, the estimate is 1. 65% of the population is couch-homeless (Census Bureau, 2000). One study highlights the Columbia-Harlem Homeless Medical fusion (CHHMP), a free clinic run by students, that targets Manhattans homeless, providing medical students with a service reading opportunity and simultaneously, providing a medical home for homeless patients. Free student-run clinics are an integral put up of the medical safety net.In these teaching settings, the requirements of medical students and in-need patients transect with the outcome of quality medical care. The disordered lifestyle of the homeless patient requires outreach to this population and a need for consanguinity building. This type of need is not feasible in the medical school setting but can be met at a student-run free clinic. Students are able to deal with the human side of public health disparity and learn more about othe r services and make referrals that can assist the whole patient, such as housing, health screenings, mental health providers, and so on (Batra, et al. , 2009).In congruency with the independent variable of other options stated earlier, an interview study of 2578 homeless and sporadically housed persons indicated that housing instability, abuse, multiple arrests, physical and mental conditions, as well as substance abuse were contributing forces to causing heightened practice of emergency rooms with a trial study group revealing on average seven visits per year. Galwankar (2004) and Whitbeck (2009) both conducted studies which emphasizingd the need to decrease emergency room use among the homeless populations, by focusing on place risk factors from a public health standpoint (Galwankar, 2004).A large percentage of the homeless use hospital emergency incisions for their primary care, even though it is not the most effective method of medical care for them, as it cannot provide con tinuity. Additionally, for hospitals and governments it is not cost effective (Whitbeck, 2009). Independent variable date Eighty percent of free clinic patients are between the ages of 18-64 with 12% world children and elderly being eight percent (George Washington University Report to Congress, 2012). cardinal pieces of literary productions agree with he statistic that one in every six people ages 51 to 61 partaking in the National Academies health and hideaway Survey who were at the start of the survey, uninsured, developed a unfermented finding of stroke, cancer or heart disease, over the next six year period (Institute of Medicine, 2012 Inguanzo &038 Kaplan, 2011). In agreement with an IOM report cited, a national trend study from 2007, looking at 10,088 uninsured older working age adults, found that this group is less likely to receive regular preventative screenings for breast cancer, prostate cancer and cholesterol that those with insurance in the homogeneous age grou p.Additionally, women who are uninsured or are on Medicaid have a more advanced stage of breast cancer at frontmost diagnosis and lower survival rate than their counterparts who have private health coverage (Gerber, et al. , 2008). In a 2009 Kaiser report, 30 percent of people between the ages of 19 and 29, are uninsured, the highest proportion of any age group. though the majority of these young adults are working, they experience lower pay scales, and oftentimes find health coverage too expensive for their budget.Most people in this age group reported they were in good health, but 10 percent indicated they were in poor or fair health twice as many as those with medical insurance (Weaver, 2010). Now, in 2012, many of this age group, because of provisions under the Affordable Care Act, will now be able to remain a dependent on their parents insurance policy until age 26, thus likely reducing the high percentage of uninsured in this age group (The albumen House, 2010). The number of children nationwide with no healthcare coverage is on the rise, but the impact from being uninsured on a childs health has not been heavily explored.According to a diary of Public wellness article, in 2006 over one million children became uninsured, raising the heart and soul to 9. 4 million, or 12. 1% of all children in the United States. The spike in numbers can be credited to decreases in employer health coverage without corresponding growths in support provided by Medicaid or the State Childrens health Insurance Program (SCHIP) (Abdullah, 2010). One study analyzed information from more than 23 million children, under age 18, in the United States, using two large patient databases, to evaluate the effect of health care coverage status on pediatric hospital stays.The study resulted in findings that the rate of death for children who were uninsured was over 37 percent of the deaths study (Abdullah, 2010). Hypotheses H1 The fewer options for medical treatment will influence a n uninsured person to use a free clinic for health care. The more alternative options for medical treatment will influence less free clinic usance by an uninsured person. Other options is an independent variable that has a propose relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured.H2 Hispanic ethnicity will influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic for their medical care needs. Hispanic ethnicity will not influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic for their medical care needs. Hispanic ethnicity is an independent variable that has a direct relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured. H3 Homelessness will influence a person to visit a free clinic. Homelessness will not influence a person to visit a free clinic. Homelessness is an independent variable that has a direct relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured.H4 age is a factor that influences free clinic usage by t he uninsured. Age does not influence free clinic usage by the uninsured. Age is an independent variable that has an inverse relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured. Chapter II Methodology Design This study will concentrate on one central research question What impacts do availability of other medical care options, Hispanic ethnicity, homelessness and age have on the usage of a free clinic by people who are uninsured?These questions will pose the following hypotheses H1 The fewer options for medical treatment will influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic for health care. The more alternative options for medical treatment will influence less free clinic usage by an uninsured person. Access to other options is an independent variable that has a direct relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured. H2 Hispanic ethnicity will influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic for their medical care needs.Hi spanic ethnicity will not influence an uninsured person to use a free clinic for their medical care needs. Hispanic ethnicity is an independent variable that has a direct relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured. H3 Homelessness will influence a person to visit a free clinic. Homelessness will not influence a person to visit a free clinic. Homelessness is an independent variable that has a direct relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured.H4 Age is a factor that influences free clinic usage by the uninsured. Age does not influence free clinic usage by the uninsured. Age is an independent variable that has an inverse relationship with the dependent variable of free clinic usage by the uninsured. A schematic model illustrates the correlation between these variables. The model can be reviewed in Appendix A. The research question and problem will be answered by using a survey design study conducted by a convenienc e sample over a six week period.The reason behind using a cross-sectional design is that data on all variables of interest can be collected at the same(p) time and is an efficient method for a large group (OSullivan, Rassel &038 Berner, 2008). The three page survey, written at a fifth grade level, in English and in Spanish, will make inquiries and gather information about the independent variables, and about the dependent variable. Attempts will be made to approach every patient signed in at the clinics during the study period. Internal and external validity, then, are important to maintain when surveying a sample population and asking questions on sensitive issues.The goal is to match that the independent variables of interest indeed caused changes to the dependent variable and not something else along with certifying the outcomes are general of the population and can be reproduced in any location. The development and reliability of the research questions are integral to maintaini ng internal validity within the study. Cognitive pretesting of 10 patients will be per make forward beginning the study to ensure the questions are ordinarily understood and to confirm that the survey questions are capturing the intended outcomes.Additionally, in order to ensure external validity, the results of the study can be implemented by other governments and non-profit agencies. Population/Sample The population for this study is patients visiting two free clinics in Shelby County, aluminium, ages 19-64. This limits the population to a specific age range of persons in the county, as it has been determined that those outside this age range are eligible for coverage through government offered insurance programs, even if they have not applied for it.A Shelby County Development Services Department Profile indicates from 2010 Census data the population for Shelby County, Alabama is 195,084 residents. Of those approximately 7% are uninsured, equating to or so 10,000 uninsured re sidents. County demographics reveal an almost even division of males (49. 3%) to females (50. 7%). 83. 6% of the population is white, 10. 6% is Black/African American and 1. 5% is Asian (See Appendix D). An anomaly in demographics is observed in ethnicity, specifically Hispanic/Latino residents who are documented at 4. % (8,389) of the correspond population with an additional 4. 2% who speak non-English language at home and 1. 6% who speak English less than very well. If the results of a University of Alabama at Birmingham study are applied to undocumented Hispanics in Shelby County, the total would be more accurately reported at 37,314 (Patino, 2002). Given the fact that both clinics have eligibility requirement for the patients they see, the sampling frame will include only people ages 19-64, who have no insurance and who reside in Shelby County or indicate they are homeless.The sample will consist of those who helter-skelter visit the clinic, and are signed in on a firstly co me, first served basis and are waiting to receive treatment at the clinics during the study period, representative of the near 2000 patients who actually received treatment in 2011. This total number of patients is captured from clinic data gathered and reported by the clinics. The sample will be chosen through convenience sampling methods. This method was chosen for its ease of execution and cost effectiveness, although it has a higher risk of bias.The sample coat was chosen using a formula that surveyd a 95 percent confidence level that the sample size will accurately represent the total population of patients. The sample size will be 563 patients. See Appendix B. Variables Dependent Variable For this study, a free clinic is operationally outlined as being a privately run non-profit agency not receiving any federal funding, that offers general medical services, medication and dental care to individuals who have no health care coverage. Volunteer, licensed medical providers ad minister the care at minimal or no cost (Darnell, 2010).The dependent variable is measured using nominal scales, with letters of the alphabet used as labels instead of numerals. Questions in the survey that address the dependent variable specifically are Question 4 and Questions 9-13 (see Appendix C). Independent Variables The first independent variable lack of other options, can be conceptually defined as locations where the uninsured might seek medical treatment, other than a free clinic. To measure this variable, use of other options will be measured using a series of questions asking questions related to medical care history.Since the survey will be given to uninsured patients who may not have a high level of education, literacy, or understanding of terminology, the operational definition for the second independent variable of housing status in the survey will measure living arrangements. This will be accomplished by measuring the oftenness of solutions using nominal scales. The third independent variable, ethnicity, especially Hispanic ethnicity, has been defined as being of Hispanic origin. Per the US Census Bureau, persons of Hispanic origin are determined on the basis of question that asked for self-identification of the persons origin or descent.Persons of Hispanic origin, in particular, are those who indicated that their origin was Mexican-American, Chicano, Mexican, Mexicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Hispanic (U. S. Census Bureau). The fourth and final independent variable, used in this model is age, and is intended to measure which age groups of working age adults visit a free clinic most often and if age is a factor for visiting the clinic. In the study, variable is operationally defined as working age adults between the ages of 19-64.Free clinics trends have shown most patients are non-elderly adults (Darnell, 2010). This will be accomplished by measuring the frequency of responses using nominal scales. Data Col lection Measuring Instrument The use of free clinics by the uninsured between ages of 19-64 and the relationships of the factors that influence usage, will be gauged by using a survey comprised of 20 questions (Appendix C), consisting of issues related to accessibility, reasons for use, medical insurance status, health status, conflict status, housing status, current diagnoses, and general demographic information.These questions include both ordinal and nominal scales. Two questions will provide an unrestricted answer option where space will be provided to write in an answer. Some questions for the survey were extracted from previously tested and validated instruments, such as the National wellness Interview Survey. The survey will be translated into Spanish, and for those who need assistance, an already on-site Spanish interpreter will assist in the introduction of the study as well as offer translation for completion of the survey.The survey should take no longer than 10 minut es to complete. Materials The materials and expense necessary to execute the survey are marginal. Copies required for each respondent total 4 pages (one page is the introduction and confidentiality notice and three pages for the survey) each totaling 2252 multiplied by $. 05 equals approximately $112. 60. Office supplies including three cardinal writing pens and a stapler and staples will also be purchased for around $25. 00. Additionally, incentives in the form of recreations are an additional cost.Bottled water and healthy snacks such as granola bars, pretzels or crackers will be purchased in record to reduce costs. 25 cases of water totals $180. 00 and snacks will be approximately $150. 00. Therefore the total cost to administer the survey with incentive is approximately $467. 60. The study will be given during clinic operating hours where clinic volunteers will be recruited to administer the introduction and surveys providing additional cost savings. Delivery Method In order t o allow every patient in the convenience sample the same opportunity to participate in the survey, upon their arrival and egistration, a clinic caseworker will share with them a scripted introduction explaining the purpose for the survey and find out them it is voluntary and it will in no way cause them any risk and will in no way compromise their clinic visit nor treatment. The introduction will also discuss confidentiality. These measures will help to ensure internal validity since the orientation may provide a level of comfort for the respondent who in turn may be inclined(p) to answer the questions more honestly.The survey will be administered to the patients during regular clinic hours on Mondays between 830 am and 430 pm and Thursdays between 530 pm and 830 pm, while they wait to be seen. To improve response rates, healthy refreshments will be provided to participants. Patients who have been waiting to register for hours, to be one of 30 patients seen during a given clinic, have likely not eaten and may welcome refreshment as incentive to participate in the study. Dr.Eleanor Singer, a population studies professor and researcher at Columbia University summarized the evidence on incentives from the standpoint of the survey literature in the use of incentives in her 2002 book. She uncovered that incentives improve response rates across all approaches. The effect has proven to be undeviating, larger incentives have superior effects on response rates. Those patients who are first in line to see a medical provider will have equal opportunity to participate in the incentive and the study upon completion of their visit. Data AnalysisOnce the surveys are collected the data will first be cleaned. It is very important that the data collected from the surveys be able to be interpreted properly in order to accurately measure the relationships between the dependent and independent variables. Each question on the survey will be coded with a value prior to being adm inistered. Data will be entered into a SDSS program and a multiple infringement analysis will be performed. From this analysis it will be viable to find the correlating relationships between each individual independent variable and the dependent variable to show significance.Ultimately the computer program will show which factors potently influence free clinic usage, which ones are less influential and which factors together may increase the relationship further. See the example in Appendix E. Chapter III Anticipated Findings The literature that has been reviewed in relation to the variables in this study, along with the suggested approaches, in tandem offers backing to the outcomes that are expected of this study.It is anticipated that there will be a relationship between use of a free clinic by the uninsured and each of the four independent variables provided lack of other options for health care, age, Hispanic ethnicity and homelessness. The expectation is that the computer so ftware used in analyzing the findings will show relationships between the variables, contradicting the null hypotheses. A multiple assault analysis would be used to show these relationships by entering the data into a computer program designed to perform the computations and ends up demonstrate a prototype of realism (Simon, 2003).Each of the four independent variables, are believed to have direct relationships with the dependent variable. Ultimately, it is anticipated that each of the four corresponding hypotheses will be conclusive. Chapter IV Conclusion Studies provide support for the need to address reasoning behind free clinic usage by the uninsured population. The literature review has assisted in understanding each variables definition, emphasizing the ideas and findings of other scholarly studies, and establishing the integrity of the links between each independent variable and the dependent variable.As an example, the Kaiser report assists with understanding of the indepe ndent variable of age being a factor in why uninsured use a free clinic for their health care needs. It showed that younger working age adults in a certain age range were the group who are most often uninsured, and that this age group is forced to use free health care or have none at all, lastly having medical conditions worsen, thus costing hospitals and tax payers more in the end. There is currently a staggering estimated $70 billion in uncompensated medical care from 2008 alone by uninsured patients (US Dept. f wellness and Human Services, 2011). Therefore it is imperative that those with no medical insurance have access to some form of free or inexpensive health care in their community, with free clinics being an important piece of the equation. Implications The findings of this research are expected to be beneficial to the Shelby County local government, health and human service non-profit agencies and the medical system as the study will be proving assumed information, along with providing ancillary supportive data about the health care needs and gaps to serve uninsured residents of Shelby County, Alabama.In knowing information about what factors sum up to the free clinic usage among the uninsured, the community collaborative can propose modifications, improvements and additions for programming that may assist in lessening the burden, and at long last solving the problem. While the outcomes from the study may not be critical to national trends, they should be very reflective and allow for reproduction of victorious interventions. RecommendationsThe provided research will give evidence on four factors that open to the use of free clinics for medical treatment by the uninsured population of Shelby County, Alabama thus allowing for a community collaborative to be formed from local government, health care providers, faith based community, caseworkers, immigration and homelessness advocates, university department heads and others. Therefore, it is stron gly suggested that this study be performed in order to gather this necessary information to determine if a more detailed needs judgment should be conducted.While there are additional independent variables that may contribute to the usage of a free clinic, only four have been highlighted for this study. Others additional factors should be investigated to identify other challenges that strain the health care system, ultimately contributing to the occurrence of free clinic use. REFERENCES Abdullah, F. et al. , (2009). Analysis of 23 million US hospitalizations uninsured children have higher all-cause in-hospital mortality. journal of Public Health, 32 (2), 236244. inside10. 093/pubmed/fdp099 Batra, P. , Chertok, J. , Fisher, C. , Manseau, M. , Manuelli, V. , &038 Spears, J. (2009). The Columbia-Harlem homeless medical partnership A new model for learning in the service of those in medical need. Journal of Urban Health Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 86 (5). inside10. 100 7/s11524-009-9386-z Becker, G. , (2001). Effects of being uninsured on ethnic minorities management of chronic illness. West Journal of Medicine, 175(1), 1923. Corso, P. &038 Fertig, A. , (2011). 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Retrieved from http//www. whitehouse. ov/blog/2010/05/10/a-long-overdue-change-help-young-adults-get-coverage pic p ic Appendix B Required Sample Size 0. 05 0. 035 0. 025 0. 01 0. 05 0. 035 0. 25 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 20 19 20 20 20 19 20 20 30 28 29 29 30 29 29 30 50 44 47 48 50 47 48 49 75 63 69 72 74 67 71 73 100 80 89 94 99 87 93 96 150 108 126 137 148 122 135 142 200 132 160 177 196 154 174 186 250 152 190 215 244 182 211 229 ccc 169 217 251 291 207 246 270 400 196 265 318 384 250 309 348 500 217 306 377 475 285 365 421 600 234 340 432 565 315 416 490 700 248 370 481 653 341 462 554 800 260 396 526 739 363 503 615 900 269 419 568 823 382 541 672 1,000 278 440 606 906 399 575 727 1,200 291 474 674 1067 427 636 827 1,500 306 515 759 1297 460 712 959 2,000 322 563 869 1655 498 808 1141 2,500 333 597 952 1984 524 879 1288 3,500 346 641 1068 2565 558 977 1510 5,000 357 678 1176 3288 586 1066 1734 7,500 365 710 1275 4211 610 1147 1960 10,000 370 727 1332 4899 622 1193 2098 25,000 378 760 1448 6939 646 1285 2399 50,000 381 772 1491 8056 655 1318 2520 75,000 382 776 1506 8514 658 1330 2563 100,000 383 778 1513 8762 659 1336 2585 250,000 384 782 1527 9248 662 1347 2626 500,000 384 783 1532 9423 663 1350 2640 Appendix C Health Care Survey Questionnaire Circle your answer 1. What is your age? a. 19-24 b. 25-34 c. 35-44 d. 45-54 e. 44-64 2. What would you classify your ethnicity? a. Caucasian or white b.African American or black c. Hispanic/Latino d. Asian e. Other________________ 3. What is your employment status? a. Full time employee b. Part time employee c. Self employed d. Unemployed looking for work e. Unemployed f. Retired 4. Reason for no health care coverage/insurance? a. Employer does not offer b. Dont work enough hours c. Became unemployed and lost coverage d. Cannot afford 5. What is your highest level of completed education? a. Did not complete High school/did not obtain GED b. High School Diploma / GED c. Technical/Trade school d. Some college e. College degree f. Graduate degree g. Doctoral degree 6. What is your housing status? a.Own home b. Rent home/apartment c. Live with family/friends d. rest at shelter/transitional housing e. non housed 7. What language do you speak most often at home? a. English b. Spanish c. Other__________________ 8. Are there children living in your household ages 18 and younger? a. Yes b. No 9. When was the last time you received medical care before todays visit? a. inside last week b. Within last month c. Within last three months d. Within last six months e. Within last year f. Longer than one year 10. Where did you last receive medical treatment before todays visit? a. Doctor office b. Hospital ER c. Public health department d. Free Clinic 11.Which best describes the reason you chose the location for your last medical treatment? a. Location b. Hours of operation c. Recommended by family/friend d. Did not know where to go 12. Did you h ave medical insurance the last time you received medical treatment? a. Yes b. No c. I dont know 13. How would you rate your satisfaction level of your most recent medical treatment? a. Very satisfied b. Somewhat satisfied c. Somewhat dissatisfied d. Not satisfied 14. How would you describe your health? a. Excellent b. Good c. Fair d. Poor 15. Are you experiencing an ongoing health problem? a. Yes b. No c. I dont know 16. Have you had a diagnosis for your health problem? a. Yes b. No c. I dont know 17.Are you taking prescription(prenominal) medications? a. Yes b. No 18. If you are taking prescription medications, is a needed fill again the reason for your visit today? a. Yes b. No c. Not applicable 19. How are you able to afford your medications? a. Medication assistance b. Lower cost generics c. Samples d. Self-pay well(p) price e. I cannot afford them 20. Please discuss any other issues you are having where assistance may be needed, so referrals may be offered. 21. Please descri be in detail what you hope to receive from your visit today. Appendix D pic Shelby County Development Services Profile Appendix E Example of a Multiple Regression results chart pic pic