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Working with school nurses: improving children's vision and building relationships.
Journal of the American Optometric Association
|January 5, 2000
Summary
School nurses are vital for children's health. Partnering with them can improve vision screenings and children's eye care access.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Optometry
- Healthcare Administration
Background:
- School nurses manage diverse health needs for millions of U.S. children.
- Effective vision screenings are crucial for early detection of pediatric vision problems.
- Optometrists can enhance pediatric eye care by collaborating with school nurses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the challenges faced by school nurses in their health management roles.
- To explore the potential for optometrists to improve children's vision care through school nurse partnerships.
- To introduce an American Optometric Association (AOA) program aimed at supporting school nurses and enhancing vision screenings.
Main Methods:
- Review of school nurse responsibilities and healthcare gatekeeping roles.
- Analysis of the impact of optometrist-school nurse collaboration on pediatric vision care.
- Description of a targeted outreach program by the AOA for school nurses.
Main Results:
- School nurses face significant challenges due to their wide-ranging responsibilities.
- Collaboration between optometrists and school nurses presents an opportunity to improve children's vision health.
- The AOA program aims to enhance the quality and effectiveness of vision screenings.
Conclusions:
- Strengthening the relationship between school nurses and doctors of optometry is essential for advancing pediatric vision care.
- Targeted programs can effectively support school nurses and elevate the standard of children's vision screenings.
- Optometric practice growth can be facilitated through engagement with school-based health initiatives.