Training the patient advocate-health educator in a free clinic setting

Includes bibliographical references (pages 57-61)This thesis discussed the development of a training program for volunteers in a free clinic. The purpose of the training was to prepare volunteers to expand their traditional roles in order to provide a comprehensive health education program for free clinic patients. The program was based on the development of the patient advocate concept which was expanded to include health education. The emphasis of health education was on venereal disease and birth control methods. These problems were established to be the most significant among young people, and particularly among those who seek care in free clinics. The methodology employed in developing the program was primarily a process of interaction between this author and the staff and administrators of two Los Angeles area free clinics. (See more in text.