Quality improvement study at Mission House Clinic

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Care Management
• Community Health

Background:

• Mission House Clinic serves low-income, homeless, and uninsured individuals.
• The Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) connects patients with free medications.
• Recent shifts indicate a growing need for mental health services within the clinic population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve the effectiveness of the Prescription Assistance Program (PAP).
• To refine methods for identifying patient prescription needs.
• To address the increasing mental health needs of the clinic's patient base.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration with UNF Nursing students since 2006.
• Review and adaptation of PAP focus from chronic diseases to mental health.
• Development of enhanced strategies for prescription need identification.

Main Results:

• The project successfully enhanced PAP effectiveness.
• Improved identification methods for patient prescription needs were implemented.
• The program is better positioned to address the evolving patient demographics, particularly mental health.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced PAP strategies are crucial for supporting vulnerable populations.
• Adapting programs to patient needs, including mental health, improves care.
• Sustained student involvement is valuable for program continuity and development.