Caring But Still Hurting: Uninsured Patients' Illness and Healthcare Experiences at a U.S. Free Clinic

Authors

• Danaya Amornnimit, Health Society and Policy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
• Eda G. Christensen, Department of Sociology and Criminology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
• Adelaida Salmeron, Health Society and Policy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
• Kian Robison, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
• Sofia Ampudia Arroyo, Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
• Jessica Benelli, Maliheh Free Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
• Brenda Spearman, Maliheh Free Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
• Akiko Kamimura, Department of Sociology and Criminology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USAFollow

ORCID

Danaya Amornnimit: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6302-4046

Eda G. Christensen: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2762-3318

Akiko Kamimura: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6528-5770

Abstract

While free clinics provide essential healthcare to socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, patients' lived experiences in these settings remain underexplored. This qualitative study examined how uninsured patients at a U.S.-based free clinic perceive their illness experiences and interactions with healthcare providers. From October to December 2024, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 adult patients (ages 18–72; M = 49.14), most of whom were non–U.S.-born and primarily Spanish-speaking. Participants described illness as entangled with emotional distress, social isolation, stigma, and disruptions to identity and family roles—revealing a psychological burden that extends beyond physical symptoms. These findings highlight the need to integrate psychosocial and culturally responsive support into primary care delivery in resource-constrained settings like free clinics.

Recommended Citation

Amornnimit D, Christensen E, Salmeron A, Robison K, Arroyo S, Benelli J, Spearman B, Kamimura A. Caring But Still Hurting: Uninsured Patients' Illness and Healthcare Experiences at a U.S. Free Clinic. Patient Experience Journal. ; 13(2):56-64. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.2131.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.