Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Undergraduate
Academic Level (Author 1)
Undergraduate
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Undergraduate
Academic Level (Author 4)
Undergraduate
Academic Level (Author 5)
Undergraduate
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: The C.D. Doyle Clinic (CDD) is a student-run free clinic that operates as an acute care center in the Esperanza Community (EC), a state sanctioned encampment in Southeast Austin supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents of EC are provided with access to low-cost insurance, employment opportunities, and community support by The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF). However, studies have indicated that home-insecure individuals experience a heightened level of stress, due to causes such as social estrangement, systemic inadequacies in support structures, and financial instability1. While CDD primarily addresses acute wellness needs, the clinic hopes to establish more collaboration with TOOF to broaden community support within EC, and understand stressors faced by EC residents.
Methods: An open ended, two-item intercept survey was conducted on EC residents to explore stress coping strategies and healthcare-related stressors among those accessing healthcare at CDD. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of CDD's EMR system (Athena) for the year of 2023 and 2024 was performed to examine documented stressors and mental health observations for Esperanza Community residents, along with follow-up care details. RESULTS:
Participants identified various stressors, including financial concerns, discomfort with clinical settings, and challenges accessing desired medications due to stigma and healthcare system limitations. However, coping mechanisms such as music, art therapy, and engagement with supportive community services emerged as valuable tools in managing stress and enhancing the healthcare experience. Moreover, participants expressed a desire for greater integration of creative stress mitigation techniques within the healthcare setting, suggesting potential avenues for improving patient well-being and satisfaction that can be fostered by CDD.
Conclusion: As CDD continues to collaborate with TOOF and expand its outreach efforts within EC, there is an opportunity to address these stressors more comprehensively and foster a more effective care environment. Recognizing the importance of creative coping mechanisms such as music and art to EC residents, the clinic aims to implement community engagement workshops focused on enhancing stress coping strategies, with the goal of monitoring the effects of these workshops on resident stressors. The team aims to measure subjective stress levels before and after the workshop by using an adapted version of the Perceived Stress Scale, and measure these results longitudinally. Additionally, CDD will utilize weekly EMR charts to systematically track stressors identified as impacting the well-being of EC residents. CDD hopes to further tailor both clinical and non-clinical services to meet the needs of EC, ultimately promoting greater well-being and resilience among its residents. These findings highlight the potential for student-run clinics like C.D. Doyle to serve as models for integrating creative, community-driven stress mitigation strategies into healthcare settings, potentially informing interventions for other vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness.
Recommended Citation
Sawant, Kashish; Carruth, Alexander; Williams, Lucas; Yampuler, Miriam; Hariprasad, Krishna; and Kolli, Pranavi, "Exploring Stressors and Coping Mechanisms Among Esperanza Community Residents Seeking Healthcare at the C.D. Doyle Clinic" (2025). Research Symposium. 88.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/88
Exploring Stressors and Coping Mechanisms Among Esperanza Community Residents Seeking Healthcare at the C.D. Doyle Clinic
Background: The C.D. Doyle Clinic (CDD) is a student-run free clinic that operates as an acute care center in the Esperanza Community (EC), a state sanctioned encampment in Southeast Austin supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents of EC are provided with access to low-cost insurance, employment opportunities, and community support by The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF). However, studies have indicated that home-insecure individuals experience a heightened level of stress, due to causes such as social estrangement, systemic inadequacies in support structures, and financial instability1. While CDD primarily addresses acute wellness needs, the clinic hopes to establish more collaboration with TOOF to broaden community support within EC, and understand stressors faced by EC residents.
Methods: An open ended, two-item intercept survey was conducted on EC residents to explore stress coping strategies and healthcare-related stressors among those accessing healthcare at CDD. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of CDD's EMR system (Athena) for the year of 2023 and 2024 was performed to examine documented stressors and mental health observations for Esperanza Community residents, along with follow-up care details. RESULTS:
Participants identified various stressors, including financial concerns, discomfort with clinical settings, and challenges accessing desired medications due to stigma and healthcare system limitations. However, coping mechanisms such as music, art therapy, and engagement with supportive community services emerged as valuable tools in managing stress and enhancing the healthcare experience. Moreover, participants expressed a desire for greater integration of creative stress mitigation techniques within the healthcare setting, suggesting potential avenues for improving patient well-being and satisfaction that can be fostered by CDD.
Conclusion: As CDD continues to collaborate with TOOF and expand its outreach efforts within EC, there is an opportunity to address these stressors more comprehensively and foster a more effective care environment. Recognizing the importance of creative coping mechanisms such as music and art to EC residents, the clinic aims to implement community engagement workshops focused on enhancing stress coping strategies, with the goal of monitoring the effects of these workshops on resident stressors. The team aims to measure subjective stress levels before and after the workshop by using an adapted version of the Perceived Stress Scale, and measure these results longitudinally. Additionally, CDD will utilize weekly EMR charts to systematically track stressors identified as impacting the well-being of EC residents. CDD hopes to further tailor both clinical and non-clinical services to meet the needs of EC, ultimately promoting greater well-being and resilience among its residents. These findings highlight the potential for student-run clinics like C.D. Doyle to serve as models for integrating creative, community-driven stress mitigation strategies into healthcare settings, potentially informing interventions for other vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness.
