University Honors

Background: The lack of trust in medical institutions among LatinX and Indigenous Mexicanfarm working communities prevents some from seeking medical attention. This study focuses onbuilding trust in medicine among LatinX and Indigenous Mexican immigrant patientpopulations in the Eastern Coachella Valley, a rural desert region in Inland Southern California.These populations face barriers to culturally appropriate medical care contributing to healthdisparities. My capstone project focused on increasing trust in medical institutions andphysicians and compared patients’ healthcare experiences. . This project was carried out incollaboration with the Coachella Valley Free Clinic (CVFC), a student-led and communityengaged clinic that serves rural, low-income farm working communities in the ECV, andcommunity health workers (promotoras).Methods: Individuals who had not yet assessed healthcare services at the CVFC but hadaccessed other local medical institutions were invited to participate in the study. s. The studyteam conducted surveys and one-on-one interviews with each patient. These surveys wereadministered before and after attending the CVFC to understand how perceptions of trust inmedicine and physicians change based on the type of clinic where patients access services.Results: A total of 15 patients were part of the study. Prior to accessing CVFC healthcareservices, all participants reported higher scores for mistrust in medicine and poor satisfactionwith their medical provider. After accessing CVFC healthcare services, participants reportedincreased trust in medicine and satisfaction with their physician.Conclusion: The findings from my capstone study demonstrate that implementation ofinnovative models focused on the health care needs of patients while offering culturally andlinguistically appropriate care, are important to increase trust in medicine and satisfaction withphysicians when vulnerable patient populations access healthcare services.