By John S. Mosby Jr., DC, Karol Donaubauer, DC, Palmer Community Outreach Clinics
For
many of us, options for health care seem nearly limitless. The Quad
Cities has a wealth of health care providers with significant expertise.
For chiropractic care there are an abundance of choices since there are
hundreds of chiropractors practicing in the greater Quad City area.
While many of us can be selective in our choices, others are not as
fortunate.
There are those in our community who have limited
resources, and many who can’t afford health insurance. So many people
are struggling in these tough economic times to keep their heads above
water. Add to that the fact that the cost of all health care is
increasing annually, and for many the out-of-pocket cost for care is
prohibitive.
This is no small issue. According to the 2011 Current
Population Survey report, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 46 million Americans in
poverty with an overall rate of 15 percent. Even more concerning is the
fact that the poverty rate among children under the age of 18 was
nearly 22 percent. In the overall population, approximately 50 million
people were uninsured.
Some individuals are choosing to simply ignore
their symptoms and complaints. These symptoms and complaints prevent
people from doing activities they enjoy and may also have negative
health consequences if ignored. In 1989, Palmer College of Chiropractic
initiated outreach programs to provide chiropractic services to those
who needed care but couldn’t afford it. As in all community efforts,
addressing societal problems as groups rather than as individuals is far
more effective.
One highly effective partnership in the Quad Cities
has been between Palmer College and The Salvation Army. Through this
partnership, in 1993 Palmer’s Community Outreach Program found a
permanent site in The Salvation Army building at 307 W. 6th Street in
Davenport. This facility provides chiropractic care to qualified
elderly, homeless, handicapped, and other financially challenged
patients. Here chiropractic services including physical examination,
orthopedic, and neurological testing, and X-rays (if warranted) are
performed by senior student interns overseen by highly experienced,
licensed doctors of chiropractic. The aim is to provide excellent care
in a relaxed atmosphere.
The success of the partnership between
Palmer College and The Salvation Army led to the establishment of two
additional community outreach clinics. Care is provided at the Davenport
Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (DARC) on Brady Street one
day each week. Chiropractic care is seen as a valuable alternative to
managing pain with medication. A clinic has also been established in the
Salvation Army facility in Moline at 2200 5th Ave. Care is provided
there four days a week to nearly 1,000 patients per year.
The Palmer
Community Outreach Clinic on 6th St. in Davenport is open five days a
week, caring for approximately 33 patients per day and nearly 8,000
patients per year. Care is provided to a diverse population. The
clinicians are experienced in caring for children of all ages. The
clinic provides care for pregnant women as well. A large variety of
neuromusculoskeletal disorders are addressed, including: neck, upper
back, and low back pain; shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and
foot pain; various types of sports injuries; headaches, including
migraines; and TMJ issues. Non-musculoskeletal problems are monitored
and appropriate referrals are made. There are many individuals who are
unaware of the wide array of resources available in the Quad Cities, and
often patients are directed to those resources.
Qualifications for
acceptance to Palmer Clinic’s Community Outreach Program are based on
household size and total household income. The documentation required at
the time of the first visit includes: four current, consecutive pay
stubs or the patient’s most current W2 form.
Although the greatest
assets of these clinics are the expertise and compassion of the faculty
doctors overseeing care, along with the caring senior student interns,
resources available at the Davenport Clinic (Palmer’s outpatient clinic
on campus) are often accessed, particularly for imaging. Since Palmer’s
Community Outreach Clinics don’t provide care for personal injuries or
workers’ compensation injuries, these cases are referred to our
outpatient clinics.
Most of the patients at Palmer College’s
Community Outreach Clinics would otherwise not be able to receive
chiropractic health care. Albert Schweitzer said, “There is no higher
religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest
creed.” Palmer takes pride in being able to provide necessary
chiropractic services to members of our community who are often
overlooked.
The hours for the two Community Outreach Clinics have recently been expanded. Locations and hours are as follows:
Davenport Community Outreach Clinic
307 W. 6th St., Davenport, IA 52801
Ph. 563-326-1870
clinics.qc@palmer.edu
Hours:
Monday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 3-7 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 2-7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Moline Community Outreach Clinic
2200 5th Ave., Moline, IL 61265
Ph. 309-764-4901
clinics.qc@palmer.edu
Hours:
Monday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.