Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40489044›Full record

ArticleJournal of community health2025

Implementing Federal Immigration Medical Examinations into a United States Student-Run Free Clinic.

Julio Siliezar, Paola Rodriguez, Yakelin Arroyo-Velazquez, Kimberly Aguirre Siliezar, Melanie Venegas, Carlos Melchor, Micah Stierli, Mark Diaz, Brenden Tu, Michael Wilkes

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of community health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Julio SiliezarUniversity of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA. jarsiliezar@ucdavis.edu.ORCID 0009-0006-8047-9569
Paola RodriguezUniversity of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Yakelin Arroyo-VelazquezUniversity of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Kimberly Aguirre SiliezarUniversity of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA.ORCID 0009-0009-9731-1182
Melanie VenegasUniversity of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Carlos MelchorUniversity of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Micah StierliDepartment of Biological Sciences, California State University Chico, Chico, CA, USA.
Mark DiazDepartment of Family Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Brenden TuDepartment of Family Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Michael WilkesDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The Immigration Medical Examination (IME) is a mandatory step in obtaining U.S. permanent residency, yet its high cost and limited accessibility pose significant barriers for low-income immigrants. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring equitable healthcare access for underserved populations. To present the benefits and process of integrating IME services into a student-run free clinic serving low-income immigrant populations. A review of IME requirements, cost barriers, and existing student-run clinic models informed the development of an IME program at the Knights Landing One Health Center (KLOHC). The implementation process involved four key steps: assessing community needs, securing qualified personnel, establishing clinic logistics, and implementing a structured training model for student volunteers. A retrospective chart review of patients receiving IME services from May 2022 to May 2024 was conducted to analyze patient demographics, service utilization, and health screening outcomes. KLOHC provided IME services to 204 patients, with 177 adult records analyzed. The majority were Hispanic/Latino (84%) and Spanish-speaking (79%), highlighting the importance of culturally and linguistically competent care. Patient volume steadily increased, with a consistent waitlist of 14-20 individuals per session. Cost reduction was significant, with services provided at no cost for selected cities already served by KLOHC. These cities include Knights Landing, Davis, Winters, Woodland (Yolo County), Yuba City (Sutter County), and Sacramento (Sacramento County). A $250 was charged to non-target community patients, compared to the private sector's $400-$900 range. IME health screenings identified cases of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections, enabling timely treatment. The structured student leadership model ensured continuity, training, and sustainability. Integrating IME services into student-run clinics is a feasible and effective strategy to expand access to essential health evaluations for immigrant populations. Funds collected from non-target communities were used to pay for vaccines, x-rays, and transportation for target community members which eased the financial burden of the already expensive immigration process. KLOHC's model demonstrates a cost-effective service for patients, improves healthcare accessibility, and provides hands-on training for future healthcare professionals. This initiative serves as a replicable framework for other student-run clinics nationwide, addressing a critical gap in immigrant healthcare and promoting a more equitable healthcare system.

Indexed as

Emigrants and ImmigrantsPhysical ExaminationStudent Run ClinicAdultFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesUnited StatesYoung AdultAccess to careCommunicable diseasesFree clinicMedical educationRefugeeVaccination

Identifiers

PMID40489044
PMCPMC12586202

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.