A Model for Nurse-Managed Health Clinics: Expanding Access to Care for the Underserved

Homelessness remains a pressing global issue affecting people of all ages. In the United States, the problem intensified in 2023, magnified by the pandemic, which has brought greater visibility to this crisis in urban settings. The health implications for those experiencing homelessness are severe, including higher rates of chronic illnesses and premature death due to lack of access to care. Key factors contributing to these health disparities include significant barriers to accessing health services, particularly primary care and preventive services. Nurse-managed Health Clinics (NMHCs) have emerged as a credible solution. This report presents a Nurse-led community partnership model that supported the development of a NMHC providing primary healthcare access for underserved populations in an urban setting. The Nurse-managed Health Clinics Collaboration and Outcomes Model includes five key elements: (a) Nurse-managed Practice; (b) Collaborative partnerships; (c) Multifaceted services and interprofessional collaboration; (d) Interprofessional Education; and (e) Comprehensive program evaluation to track community and educational outcomes. Program evaluation results on key outcomes for four years of clinic activities, including Interprofessional Education, illustrate the clinic's impact, supporting the applicability of the model. Recommendations are provided to replicate this model. Facilitating the development of NMHCs that effectively address the increasing healthcare needs of underserved individuals, is likely to improve health outcomes and overall quality of life for these vulnerable populations.