Implementing Quality Improvement Changes to a Free Sports Physical Program in a Rural Community

Area of Science:

• Community Health
• Adolescent Medicine
• Preventive Care

Background:

• Rural populations face significant healthcare access barriers.
• A Midwest university partnered with school nurses for free after-hours preparticipation physical exams.
• This initiative aimed to promote healthy lifestyles among adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• Address high obesity rates and low physical activity in a specific rural region.
• Improve access to essential health screenings for adolescents.
• Enhance the effectiveness of community-based health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Conducted preparticipation physical examinations including medical histories, visual acuity, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and blood glucose.
• Implemented quality improvement changes: expanded hours, increased volunteers, and facilitated direct result sharing with school nurses.
• Referred students with abnormal findings to local medical homes for follow-up care.

Main Results:

• Increased number of student participants compared to previous years.
• Higher participant satisfaction reported.
• Improved delivery of health information to school nurses for timely interventions.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced after-hours physical examinations effectively address healthcare access barriers for working families.
• The improved process increases student participation in vital health screenings and school activities.
• Strengthened collaboration between university faculty, school nurses, and local healthcare providers benefits adolescent health outcomes.