Adolescent health--a descriptive study of a school doctor clinic

To describe a school doctor clinic at a New Zealand secondary school.

A three phase study was designed and conducted at a coeducational secondary school in Auckland. Firstly, a health questionnaire was developed to assess adolescents' perceptions of their health status and use of primary health care services. The second phase was descriptive study of a newly established school doctor clinic. The doctor clinic was run twice weekly over a 3 month period in 1993. The third phase of the study was a clinic-based satisfaction survey.

A 75% response rate was achieved, with a total of 221 health questionnaires completed from 292. Although the majority of students (n = 184, 84%) considered themselves healthy, 16% (n = 36) described their health as only 'fair' or 'poor'. Seventy one percent (n = 157) of students had seen their general practitioner in the preceeding twelve months. Thirteen percent (n = 142) of the school population consulted the school doctor clinic. Significantly more female, Maori and European students attended the school doctor clinic compared with the school demography. The commonest diagnoses for the doctor clinic were respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal problems. Thirty one percent of the diagnoses related to recognised adolescent health needs such as contraception, sexual health, nutrition, and psychosocial problems. Over two thirds of students at the first consultation had not seen another health provider. Students perceived that the doctor clinic overcame barriers such as access, cost and confidentiality.

The school doctor clinic was well utilised, overcame some barriers to access and addressed many recognised adolescent health needs.