From Hesitation to Healing
Continuity Care Creates Confidence in Patient and Provider
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The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Student-Run Free Clinic Project provides incredible opportunities for medical students to gain hands-on patient experience while providing vital care to underserved patients.
The free clinic provides access to primary and specialty care, restorative dental care, a pharmacy, vaccines, food, acupuncture, social workers, support groups and mental health services.
For second-year medical student Emily Moon, the free clinic is more than a resource for health care services – it’s a space for connection and compassion.
“The free clinic helps to ‘fill my cup,’” said Moon. “After each visit, I feel more grounded in my life. When medical school feels stressful and overwhelming, I am reminded that the free clinic represents what I am working towards – a career of helping people.”
At the free clinic, medical students take on many roles, including clinic management, administrative duties, and working in specialty clinics. For some patients, one medical student follows them over time and attends all of their clinic visits, providing continuity of care.
“Our goal is to build a longitudinal relationship,” said Moon. “Many of the patients we see have chronic conditions. Some have had negative experiences with health care providers in the past. When my patient first came to the clinic, she was very hesitant. She wanted to invest in her own health but wasn’t sure she could trust us. I have tried to position myself as someone who is there to listen and validate her concerns.”
Moon first met her patient in April of this year. The experience has left an impact.
“One of the advantages of this patient-student pairing is we have the luxury of time. Because I only have one patient, I can sit with her, hear what she has to say and learn what is going on with her life,” said Moon.
At each appointment, Moon may spend upwards of 45 minutes with her patient. They talk about health care updates, new medical concerns and anything that the patient wants to share. “I let her guide where the conversation is going and when it’s appropriate, I ask the questions that I prepared before her appointment that I hope will elicit helpful information for the physicians caring for her,” said Moon.
The intentional time spent has made a difference. The patient is doing well and has been able to reduce the frequency of her appointments.
“We've addressed her most pressing issues and are starting to make our way down her list of chronic conditions. It's been great to see her improve her health, gain confidence in herself and feel more comfortable with me,” said Moon.
Volunteering with the street outreach team—another service offered by the Student-Run Free Clinic Project—has also helped build Moon’s confidence as a future physician. Through this work, volunteers distribute food, water, clothing and hygiene kits to people experiencing homelessness in Pacific Beach.
“These experiences teach us compassion. Actually talking to people and having conversations with them has been really helpful to learn in unfamiliar or potentially difficult situations,” said Moon. “At the end of the day, it comes down to practicing and learning how to speak to people and recognizing that you never say the right thing 100% of the time. The most important thing is that you keep trying.”
As she progresses through medical school, Moon’s confidence in herself and her knowledge base continues to grow.
“When I first started at the free clinic, I was nervous,” she said. “You're thinking about so many things. How do I talk to this person? How do I gather all the information the care team needs? How do I process all the information? How do I write a note? Sometimes it can feel very overwhelming. As I continue to learn more in the curriculum and have more standardized patient interactions, I am feeling more comfortable in gathering the information I need while allowing my patient to take the conversation where they need it to go.”
Through intentional listening, targeted questioning and respect for her patient’s lived experience, Moon continues to strengthen her ability to gather meaningful health stories that guide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Emily Moon (center) with other members of the Student-Run Free Clinic Project's Street Outreach Team volunteering in Pacific Beach.
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