Background: Uninsured, low-income, Spanish-speaking patients face barriers to obtaining gynecologic care in the United States. Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, a free clinic in Rhode Island, hosts a biweekly Women's Clinic (WC) established and run by local medical students.
Methods: A retrospective chart review identified gyne- cologic services provided, needs met and adherence to screening guidelines at WC between June 2017 and May 2021.
Results: During 80 clinics, 278 patients were seen. 362 encounters occurred, with 288 missed appointments. Women primarily attended WC for routine care (159, 43.9%) or abnormal uterine bleeding (41, 11.3%). Common services provided include gynecologic exams (302, 27.0%), Pap smears (221, 19.7%), and STI screening (166, 14.8%). Pap smear and mammography guidelines were adhered to during 92.3% and 94.1% of visits, respectively.
Conclusions: Accessible gynecologic care is a significant unmet need for uninsured, Spanish-speaking patients. These findings demonstrate the importance of gynecologic care at free clinics and warrant their expansion.
Keywords: free clinic; gynecology; screening; uninsured.