What is the Free Clinic
Project?
The UCSD Student Run Free Clinic Project is a joint effort by UCSD
medical students and faculty from the School of Medicine along with
community partners: the Pacific Beach United Methodist Church, Third
Avenue Charitable Organizations (TACO), and Baker Elementary School.
Our commitment is to provide quality medical, dental, and social
services free of charge to homeless and indigent people
in San Diego. At present we have three clinics operating on a weekly
basis.
Our Activities and Services:
Medical Services: We
provide limited medical care, including physical exams, first aid,
preventive medicine, disease management, and health maintenance.
Social and Community Service Referrals:
As advocates, we assist our clients to negotiate
steps to access housing, mental health services, employment and
more.
Health Counseling and Education: We
provide counseling and health education on topics including first
aid, nutrition, HIV, diabetes management, drug and alcohol addiction,
smoking cessation, blood pressure surveillance, household toxins,
and preventive care.
Education and Training for Medical Students:
Medical students gain vital experience in
primary care medicine, public health, community service, and administration
of health care. The clinic serves as a unique educational program.
As part of an elective course, first and second year medical students
collaborate with third and fourth year students, under the guidance
of faculty and community physicians. Students also learn about all
aspects of clinic operation and participate in health promotion.
UCSD School of Pharmacy and the UCSF/UCSD Clinical
Pharmacy Project: Pharmacy students
practice under the supervision of a pharmacist to educate patients
and to develop treatment plans along with physicians and medical
students. They also maintain and expand our pharmaceutical supplies.
Affiliated Acupuncture Clinic: Pacific
College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM), offers a collaborative project
in which their students work under the supervision of an Eastern
medical practitioner to provide acupuncture, acupressure, and massage.
Dental Clinic: Dental
professionals donate their services at the clinic, offering basic
dental care and hygiene, including limited restorative services
and temporary orthodontics.
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