Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33407435›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2021

Development and implementation of a patient assistance fund: a descriptive study.

Burke W Soffe, Justine E Miranda, Jenny Fang, Daniel G Epperson, Roberto A Lara, Hazel L Williamson, Martin S Lipsky

Abstract read
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Article in BMC health services research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Burke W SoffeCollege of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10895 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT, 84095, USA. bsoffe@roseman.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0844-2682
Justine E MirandaCollege of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10895 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT, 84095, USA.
Jenny FangCollege of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10895 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT, 84095, USA.
Daniel G EppersonCollege of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10895 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT, 84095, USA.
Roberto A LaraCollege of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10895 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT, 84095, USA.
Hazel L WilliamsonCollege of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10895 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT, 84095, USA.
Martin S LipskyCollege of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10895 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT, 84095, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe purpose of this descriptive study is to outline the Roseman University of Health Sciences (RUHS) College of Dental Medicines' Patient Assistance Fund development, organization and outcomes. The description and reported results provide insight to others considering similar health professions programs.

methodsThe Patient Assistance Fund (PAF) affords dental students an opportunity to petition for and obtain financial assistance for their most disadvantaged patients. In this study, two sources of data were collected and used with a quantitative analysis for data collected as part of the PAFs operation and a qualitative analysis to evaluate the patient experiences.

resultsA total of 16 student advocates, consisting of 6 males and 10 females from the D3 and D4 classes made 26 presentations to the PAF board committee. The combined amount requested from the PAF was $47,428.00 ("Cost of Treatment Plan") representing an average request per patient of $1824.15 (range $324.00 to $4070.00). The approved procedures and treatment plans totaled $21,278.36 ("Cost of Approved Procedures") with an average of $818.40 (range $204.00 to $2434.00) per patient. Patients and students expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the program.

conclusionsThis study provides an overview of the structure, funding sources, expenditures and patient services supported by a dental student managed patient assistance fund. The experiences at RUHS College of Dental Medicine (CODM) suggest that other healthcare professions schools can develop similar type programs that yield benefit both to students and to patients in need.

Indexed as

Financial ManagementHealth ExpendituresFemaleHumansMaleStudentsVulnerable PopulationsAccess to careDental careFinancial barriersHealth professions educationOral healthPatient assistance fundPatient outcomes assessment

Identifiers

PMID33407435
PMCPMC7789741

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