Retrospective Analysis of Population Demographic Characteristics, Medical Interventions, and Resource Use at a Medical Student-Run Clinic on the Texas-Mexico Border

Purpose. The study's purpose was to assess population demographics and resource utilization of the Medical Student Run Clinic, which provides primary care services to patients in El Paso, Texas along the Texas-Mexico border. Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional chart review was performed on 760 patients evaluated at the medical student-run clinic between 2013 and 2016. Data included demographic characteristics, chief complaints, diagnoses, and interventions, which were analyzed with calculations of means, standard deviations, and percentages. Results. Most (79.7%) patients were female; average age was 38.43 years; 91% of patients were Hispanic, and 66.8% spoke Spanish. Average BMI was 30.9 kg/m2. Less than 1% of patients presented with a psychiatric complaint; however, 17.9% screened positive for anxiety, and 16.5% screened positive for depression. Conclusions. This study shows that diabetes, hypertension, obesity, anxiety, and depression represent avenues for future patient-centered interventions and provide insight into challenges patients face along the border.