Otolaryngology Diagnoses at a Student-Run Community Clinic

Purpose Compared to insured individuals who have established pathways for primary and specialist care, uninsured patients often delay seeking medical attention and are more likely to rely on emergency departments or community clinics for low-cost services. This study aims to identify the most prevalent otolaryngology (ENT) diagnoses at a free, student-run community clinic for uninsured patients. Additionally, it seeks to elucidate their management needs in order to inform strategies for enhancing support and care for this vulnerable population. Methods The electronic medical records for a free, student-run community clinic (St. Vincent's Hope Student Clinic in Galveston, Texas) were reviewed. Patient age, sex, chief complaint, date of medical encounter, and encounter diagnoses from April 2021 to May 2024 were recorded; medical diagnoses were then manually stratified into system categories and diagnostic subgroups. Diagnoses unrelated to ENT were excluded and likely represented secondary encounter diagnoses. Results A total of 38 patients were evaluated across 51 total ENT encounters. The average number of encounters per patient per year was 1.34 (1.05-1.63, 95% CI). The most common ENT category was throat (37%), and the most common individual diagnosis was balance problems (11% of total diagnoses). Conclusion The most common ENT system was the throat, followed by ear, nose, and other. Balance problems, reflux, and allergic rhinitis were the most common individual ENT diagnoses. The analysis of data collected for this study may help direct future care and resource allocation at this clinic.