Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Clayton County Georgia is a 146 square mile land area in Metropolitan Atlanta. Data from 2000 calculated the population to be 236,517. Of this population, 37.9% were white, 51.6% were black, 7.5% were Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% were Asian. 51.4% of the population was female at that time. A 1997 model-based estimate revealed a median household money income of $38,366. 13.5% of persons were living below the poverty level.

Charts

Demographic information extracted from all charts at the Good Shepherd Clinic was used to perform a descriptive epidemiological study of the patient population. A total of 479 charts were reviewed from November of 2001 to March of 2002. Data pertaining to age, sex, race, employment status, presence or absence of a driver’s license, marital status and address was collected from a standard patient information form that was filled out by all patients prior to a physician encounter. The number of patient visits and the problems diagnosed on these visits were recorded using the clinic notes in the patient chart.

The diagnoses for each patient were recorded only once, even if the patient was seen multiple times for the same medical problem. The Family Practice Management Long List of ICD-9 used to group all diagnoses into broad categories. Popular diagnoses (eg. hypertension and diabetes mellitus) were separated from the broad categories and analyzed independently.

Results

Age Distribution Patients 0-15 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 70 53 73 107 102 60 14 Race Distribution Patients Caucasian African-American Hispanic Other (NativeAm,Asian,Mixed) Unknown 186 126 91 11   65 Sex Distribution Patients MALE FEMALE 134 344 Marital Status Patients Single Married Divorced Separated Widowed Unknown 213 114 67 35 27 23 Employment Status Patients YES NO 159 290 Repeat Visits Patients 0-2 3-5 6+ 276 152 51 Common Diagnosis Patients Respiratory Hypertension Musculoskeletal Nervous System Genitourinary Skin Disease Diabetes Melitus Signs/Symptoms Digestive Well-Woman Check 156 154 122 90 83 78 66 64 59 55 Vinicity Patients Jonesboro Forest Park Morrow Riverdale Ellenwood Rex College Park Conley Stockbridge Other(Atlanta) 124 100 93 38 21 19 17 15 14 6

The purpose of this article is to describe the characteristics of the patient population of a suburban clinic for the uninsured and underserved. Also, characteristics particular to this patient population will be highlighted. With increased awareness of the unique attributes of this patient population, appropriate resources can be identified and provided.

There were a few limitations to this study. Some of the patient information forms were not completely filled out. Variables could only be analyzed if patients chose to complete the forms. Also, there is a large population of Hispanic/Latino patients in the clinic. Many of them speak only Spanish and probably had difficulty completing the form.

There are several uses for the information provided by this study. First, there is a large Spanish-speaking population in the clinic. Often, these patients will have a young child translate for the non-English speaking adults in the family. Information is sometimes lost in the translation. Since 19% of the clinic population is Hispanic/Latino, medical translators would definitely be of benefit to the patients.

Next, the majority of the patients in this study are women. Female patients require some special services. Regular mammograms and pap smears are a large part of women’s healthcare. Some services are already being provided successfully by the Clayton County Health Department. More support from local businesses, hospitals, and practitioners would make this endeavor even more successful.

The availability of sample medications is very important to the operation of this clinic. As a general rule, some medications, especially antihypertensives, are more effective in certain races. Now that the distribution of race of The Good Shepherd Clinic is known, medications can be acquired that target this population. Also, medication acquisition can be targeted to those used for the most common diagnoses.

By using the information provided in this study, we can help to improve access to healthcare for Clayton County’s underserved and uninsured population. Organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Office of Rural Health of the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have funded dozens of similar clinics. Also, with the given information, donations may possibly be acquired from local businesses and corporations to help support the clinic and provide quality healthcare to the people we serve.