Pro Bono Services in 4 Health Care Professions: A Discussion of Exemplars

The purpose of this article is to discuss exemplars of pro bono and charity activities in health care professions.

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar from inception to August 2019 using search terms "pro bono healthcare," "medical volunteerism," "pro bono clinics OR free clinics OR organizations," "pro bono curriculum OR education," "underserved OR uninsured OR underinsured OR disadvantaged OR poor populations." Inclusion criteria were that practitioners, students, or volunteers be involved in pro bono care or education and in any discipline, including medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic, or dentistry.

We selected 5 exemplars to review, and determined that students can benefit from participation in pro bono or charity health care such as through a student administered clinic model. Academic curricula can play a role in building confidence and create positive attitudes and behaviors regarding pro bono and charity activities, and nonprofit organizations can help build sustainable models.

We conclude that the implementation and delivery of health care pro bono or charity services can fill a health care gap and can be applied successfully in the health professions.