title: Community-based free clinics: opportunities for interprofessional collaboration, health promotion, and complex care management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Free or outreach clinics offer students the opportunity to work with diverse patient populations. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of a sample of chiropractic patients at a free community-based clinic to assess clinical and educational opportunities for students to work with diverse populations, collaborate with other professions and practice health promotion through patient education.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over 2 months. Data on demographics, health status, and health risks were collected from patients and their interns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 158 patients, 50.6% were women and 50.6% African-American, while only 20.9% were employed full-time. Of the 24.7% tobacco users, 48.7% expressed interest in cessation. Of 80.0% overweight or obese patients, 48.8% expressed interest in weight loss. By self-report, 16.5% were diabetic, 10.1% took hypertension medication, 36.7% used prescription pain medication (9.4% opiate use), 33.5% used nonprescription pain medication, and 9.4% were under the care of a mental health professional.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This patient population is demographically diverse. A high proportion of patients who used tobacco, or were overweight or obese expressed interest in information on those topics. A substantial proportion reported being under care with a mental health professional. This clinic provides opportunities for students to work with diverse populations, collaborate with other professions, and practice health promotion.
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kaeser
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hawk
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reinhardt
keywords: Community Health Centers; Cultural Diversity; Health Promotion; Interprofessional Relations