If you are a GW student in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences interested in starting a research project at the Healing Clinic, please click here to complete this project proposal form.
Ongoing Projects
Bridging Efficiency and Equity: Evidence-Based Quality Improvement and Evaluation in a Student-Run Free Clinic
This project takes an evidence-based approach to evaluating and improving clinic workflow, aiming to reallocate time toward more patient-centered care and meaningful educational experiences. Student-run free clinics face distinctive challenges including high patient volume, limited operational hours, and the naturally slower pace of a teaching environment. We also serve a large population of medically underserved residents, where significant portions of visits are dedicated to addressing critical social determinants of health. These factors further underscore the need for data-driven strategies to enhance both clinical operations and patient care.
Evaluating Specialty Care Referrals at a Student-Run Free Clinic to Identify Opportunities for Clinical Collaboration to Meet Patient Needs In-House
This project analyzes the specialty care referrals made by patient navigators to categorize the non-primary care needs of patients at our clinic. The findings are being utilized to help support the development and implementation of monthly specialty nights at Healing Clinic to meet patients' clinical needs in-house with collaboration from local providers and health professional students.
A Successful Intervention to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening at a Student-Run Free Clinic
This project at Bridge to Care introduced a standardized cervical cancer screening protocol - incorporating a new EMR template, patient and provider education, and a referral system to reduce care barriers - which led to a 5.8-fold increase in screening rates.
Medical Student Attitudes Toward Clinic
This project assesses medical students' attitudes at GW about the healing clinic through a survey. By understanding their sentiments and identifying areas where the clinics are performing well and where improvements are needed, we aim to enhance the educational and clinical experience for medical students.
Gender-Based Violence Screening
This project aims to validate common screening tools for gender-based violence in clinics and provide resources. The goal is to provide a screening tool to randomize patients at check-in, ensuring effective identification and support for those affected by gender-based violence.
Society For Student Run Free Clinic (SRFC) Preventative Services
This project focuses on creating a comprehensive database of all screening services offered at student-run free clinics across the United States. These screening services are aligned with the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. By compiling and analyzing this data, we aim to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of preventive healthcare services provided by student-run free clinics.
Dermatology Complaints
This project involves looking through GW Healing Clinic data to collect information on the most common dermatology complaints in this underserved population. By analyzing these complaints, we aim to better understand dermatological healthcare needs.