In partnership with VCH’s Community Engagement Team, VCH’s Bridge Clinic interviewed 29 patients and 14 people working with partner organizations about what was working, as well as what could be improved. Bridge Clinic provides public health screening and short-term primary health care to refugees. Since it was started in 1994, much of the context around refugees has changed, including several federal policies as well as where refugees are coming from and the health issues they bring with them. Given this, there was a desire to better understand the needs of current clients.

Overwhelming appreciation

The feedback was insightful. There was an overwhelming appreciation of the quality of care that Bridge Clinic provides to this population – providing an essential and unique service to vulnerable patients who often come from conflict situations with complex health needs. Bridge Clinic was also recognized as doing a good job connecting with other refugee service providers, and those partners also identified opportunities to further improve coordination. The biggest issues were highlighted, such as the common experience of unmet mental health needs, as well as some more concrete suggestions, such as working with pharmacists to ensure non-English speakers understand how and when to take their medication. You can see the full version of the report here.

Implementation

This engagement process is part of a larger program review. The findings have been presented to the staff team at Bridge Clinic and many of the suggestions are already being implemented. For instance, the Bridge Clinic management team is already planning more strategies for working better with their key partner organizations.