They frequently have been abused, suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, and are depressed. Additionally, they are stressed because they are homeless. Emergency medical technicians, nurses, student doctors, residents, and practicing physicians, most of whom are employees of the Hershey Medical Center , volunteer their time and energy to the medical clinic each Tuesday evening. Many people can't afford medical treatment or they feel frustrated in a place where they wait for hours . Here, people are treated with diginity.
Most homeless people tend to place less priority on their personal health.
If it were not for Bethesda's clinic, many would not seek medical attention until a problem became so unbearable that they were forced to seek care from a local emergency room. Some who are eligible for Medicaid elect to join a local clinic's health plan. But those who cannot get medical assistance or cannot secure the funds to purchase medicines are the folks who most likely ignore their medical problems. Colds, flus, and other related seasonal illnesses seem to top the list of problems. Some patients have simple rashes, poison ivy, and assorted allergies.