Welcome!
The International Medicine Clinic at Harborview Medical Center is a small clinic that provides primary care to poor, medically indigent, non-English-speaking refugee and immigrant populations in King County. Patients typically originate from Southeast Asia or East Africa, and many have complex chronic medical conditions, co-existing with cultural adjustment issues, social problems, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Residents learn how to care for culturally diverse populations, work with interpreters, and serve as patient advocates. They gain an awareness of the epidemiology of disease in other parts of the world and different health systems and practices. Weekly pre-clinic conferences are tailored to the clinic’s unique population.
Residents interested in this clinic should have an interest in health care for migrant populations and travel medicine as well as a willingness to work with interpreters, a strong commitment to the underserved, enthusiasm for the patient education and the patience required to work with a population with very little prior access to basic biology education or medical care. Also, because of the inherent challenges of building and maintaining a patient panel in this vulnerable population, we require a three-year commitment during residency.
Clinic History
The clinic was founded as the Refugee Clinic in 1982. At that time, the clinic focused on screening patients from Southeast Asia for intestinal parasites. It shared its space with two other clinics and had only one session on Saturday mornings. The clinic gradually expanded over the years to become a full-time, full service primary care clinic, providing nearly 12,000 patient visits annually in over 28 languages. In 1995, it changed its name to the International Medicine Clinic to recognize its expanded role in the community of global medicine and moved into its current location in Ground West Clinic wing.
Our Priority Patients
Where do our patients come from?
The International Medicine Clinic patient population has reflected the larger geopolitical world and the diasporas of refugees and immigrants. The wars in Southeast Asia during the 1970’s and early eighties produced several refugee waves, which created the initial demand for the clinic. Since then, the scope of the clinic has broadened considerably, and currently the clinic sees patients from the Horn of Africa, Southeast Asia and China, Eastern Europe, and Central America, mirroring modern day migration.
Legal entry into the US can be broken down into immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas are temporary and for a specific purpose, such as work, study, or travel. The most common type of patients we see with non-immigrant visas are those visiting family members on a 6-month tourist visa. In contrast, immigrant visas are issued to those seeking permanent residence in the United States, and holders are issued "green cards." The most common types of patients we see with immigrant visas are refugees, those sponsored by other family members, and those who obtained their visas through the Diversity Visa Program.
How do patients get referred to us?
Many patients are recommended to the International Medicine Clinic from contacts in their community, while others are referred by our own emergency department, specialty clinics, and inpatient services. The referral process includes a secondary triage to ensure that they are one of our ‘priority patients.’
Clinic Services
The International Medicine Clinic provides comprehensive primary care and complementary medicine services including the following:
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The clinic also works closely with Harborview’s Interpreter Services Department, Cultural Community Mediators and Community House Calls program. Many of our providers and staff have been able to further strengthen bonds with various communities through their involvement in community organizations and advocacy.
09/24/08