Seattle's late 1960's Free Clinic Movement: Exploration of social activism as a change strategy for health care and the ways in which individuals engaged in activism (Washington).

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In the late 1960s free clinics were being established at an astounding rate in Seattle. This Free Clinic Movement was not only impressive because of the number of clinics that were established, but because of the grassroots efforts that led to the successful provision of care to vulnerable populations. However, until now, no document captured the story of this event, its key players or its impact on local health and health policy.
In this study historical methods were used to answer the question of what the Free Clinic Movement was and what type of social and political milieu existed to promote such activism. In addition, grounded theory method was used to analyze interviews with the activists in order to understand the process by which they came to be engaged in community organizing, a function that is critical for health care professionals to engage in as well.
Historical analysis resulted in a complex description of the national and local political activity that led to the opening of more than 19 free clinics in Seattle between 1968 and 1978. Some were established as a means of bringing the community together for social and political reasons. Others came into existence as a means of protesting the elitist nature of the medical establishment. Free clinic personnel formed coalitions that protested the under funding of health care by local government.
Analysis of the activists' stories revealed that those individuals demonstrated early tendencies toward resisting the status quo. Influenced by family beliefs and group involvement, exposure to social justice issues created an impetus for volunteering. The 1960s culture of social involvement prompted their participation in various types of organizing and the first free clinic provided an opportunity to get involved in organizing around health issues.
Although causal relationships are not proved in this qualitative study, health improved in Seattle's poorest neighborhoods. A coalition of the clinics became a powerful voice leading to policy change both locally and nationally. This study indicates that activism can influence policy and that community clinics are effective in reducing health disparities. A case is made for nursing attention to social activism.