Patient Perceptions of Student Involvement and Satisfaction in a Student-Run Free Clinic Serving People Experiencing Homelessness
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Patient satisfaction is a key measure of healthcare quality among people experiencing homelessness. Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) provide care to underserved populations, but the role of student involvement in patient satisfaction remains unclear. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients receiving care at an SRFC. From February 2024 to February 2025, patients completed post-visit surveys assessing satisfaction that were evaluated using regression analyses. Results Eighty-eight patients completed surveys, reporting high overall satisfaction (mean 9.26/10). In separate linear regression models adjusted for age, gender, and race, greater perceived benefit of student involvement was associated with higher satisfaction (β = .298, p =.037), whereas perceiving the visit as too long was associated with lower satisfaction (β = −.285, p = .019). Conclusion Greater perceived benefit of student involvement was associated with higher patient satisfaction, whereas longer perceived visit duration was associated with lower satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of balancing educational opportunities with efficient workflows in SRFCs.
Source: medRxiv
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221965157