Abstract
The purpose of a free medical clinic is to provide health care to a population that would not otherwise afford medical treatment or care. Free Clinics will continue to play a vital role in meeting the healthcare needs of this poverty-stricken population. Accessibility to a primary care provider is essential for improved health and well-being. Being able to perform provider performed microscopy (PPM) in the clinic setting will allow the ability to diagnose disease, effectively manage a patient’s health and prescribe medication if necessary. Provider performed microscopy will allow accurate diagnosis, thorough care and effective patient management improving the patient’s quality of life and disease prevention. A lack of laboratory capability decreases the ability to make timely, accurate diagnoses to a population that has problems with both access and follow-up in the primary care setting.|Keywords: free clinic, provider performed microscopy, CLIA waived testing