Clinical Services Used and Types of Health Information Sought by Low-Income Latino Patients at a Large Urban, Free Clinic

Abstract

The present study describes the clinical services used and the types of health information sought by Latino patients at a large urban, free clinic in Los Angeles County, California, USA. A subgroup data analysis of the 2005-2006 Patient Health Assessment Survey, originally administered as part of a clinic quality improvement program, was conducted using a subsample of low-income Latino patients (n = 301) who rely on the targeted clinic for usual care. The descriptive analysis explored health services utilization, including the types of health information sought by members of this clinic population and patient feedback about provider communication strategies that are conducive for mutual decision-making. Overall, healthy eating (61%) and chronic disease management (58%) were among the most frequently sought after health information by Latino patients at the clinic. Provider communication strategies, including explaining things in a way that the patient could understand and the use of non-medical language, were suggested by a majority of respondents (> 70%) as desirable ways to improve the medical encounter experience. Findings from this study may benefit quality improvement efforts in other community health clinics that provide free care to low-income Latino patients with similar backgrounds.