Can any physician specialty volunteer at free clinics and stuff?

[Justiii]

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I'm just a pre-med student now. Since It's so far ahead, I have no idea what specialty I'll end up in. But I know I'd want to volunteer at free clinics for people who can't afford healthcare, etc.. But I was wondering if you'd have to be a certain specialty to do that or if you can be any? Thanks in advance!

 

[Serous Demilune]

I'm just a pre-med student now. Since It's so far ahead, I have no idea what specialty I'll end up in. But I know I'd want to volunteer at free clinics for people who can't afford healthcare, etc.. But I was wondering if you'd have to be a certain specialty to do that or if you can be any? Thanks in advance!

Yes, any licensed physician can be an attending at a free clinic.

 

[shiftingmirage]

It would be unlikely to see a radiologist or a pathologist, but otherwise yes.

 

[DrBowtie]

It would be unlikely to see a radiologist or a pathologist, but otherwise yes.

Don't worry, ~30% of Rads ED charges are unpaid so we provide plenty of charity care.

 

[shiftingmirage]

I didn't mean it like that, but none of the 3 free clinics I have volunteered at offered radiology services. Same with path, the one where we did paps, the samples were sent elsewhere for analysis.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I didn't mean it like that, but none of the 3 free clinics I have volunteered at offered radiology services. Same with path, the one where we did paps, the samples were sent elsewhere for analysis.

I believe the point is that they wouldn't necessarily be volunteering their specialty services. Rather, their general knowledge/degree as a physician qualifies them to be a general attending at a free clinic.

 

[DrBowtie]

I didn't mean it like that, but none of the 3 free clinics I have volunteered at offered radiology services. Same with path, the one where we did paps, the samples were sent elsewhere for analysis.

Right because the rads have no control over the technical fee for the machine.

Same as a surgeon volunteering. Unless there is donated OR time, Anesthesia time, donated supply coverage, their isolated time is not all that useful.

 

[Beargryllz]

Don't worry, ~30% of Rads ED charges are unpaid so we provide plenty of charity care.

If you remove the word Rads, is this sentence still true? Because 30% sounds low. Then again my area is truly, truly impoverished.

 

[DrBowtie]

If you remove the word Rads, is this sentence still true? Because 30% sounds low. Then again my area is truly, truly impoverished.

Not sure. Search your specialty specific literature. I'm sure you can find stuff.

 

[karayaa]

Most free clinics provide 1º care services, so those specialties would be best suited for providing those services.
I don't if docs would feel ethical/comfortable working outside their scope of practice as a "general attending".
Surgery and other specialties that require infrastructure/equipment/support probably would not be common.

Edit: Look at the provider bios at community health centers and clinics to see the type of people who work there, or the services they provide: eg
http://sabancommunityclinic.org/services/Health-Care-Services

 

[shiftingmirage]

I believe the point is that they wouldn't necessarily be volunteering their specialty services. Rather, their general knowledge/degree as a physician qualifies them to be a general attending at a free clinic.

Most docs will not go too far out of their specialty because they know they don't know enough in other specialties. I used rads and path as examples because they don't interact directly with patients. While extremely smart people, I doubt most want to be in charge of managing someone's diabetes, hypertension, (insert other chronic problem).

 

[karayaa]

Most docs will not go too far out of their specialty because they know they don't know enough in other specialties. I used rads and path as examples because they don't interact directly with patients. While extremely smart people, I doubt most want to be in charge of managing someone's diabetes, hypertension, (insert other chronic problem).

In addition to the problems, they might not be comfortable providing long-term care to people who are poor and have chronic lifestyle diseases. There's a reason they didn't choose primary care in the first place.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I work at a free clinic, and we have nine specialties (plus primary care).

 

[deleted407021]

We provide primary care where I work, but we have several specialties represented, including a critical care/pulmonologist.

 

[correctlywrong]

If you are thinking along these lines, maybe Primary Care specialties are the ones you should consider anyhow?

Family Medicine is not just something you do if you don't specialize, and thus something that any doc can walk in and do well based on their medical school experience. It is a specialty in itself, and like so many others, it is one that is mastered through clinical experience in residency.

I am not busting on you for asking a reasonable question. I think that there is a role for any specialist in providing pro bono care, whether in a formal free clinic setting, medical mission work, or through their own offices. I am glad to hear that you have such interests in mind this early in the game.