A survey of university health centers in western Canada

A survey of 11 universities in the four provinces of western Canada in July 1991 found that only 1 of the institutions had no student health service. The survey asked for information about general operations, staff, finances, and services at the centers. The 10 universities that had health services were found to vary widely in their programs, funding, and compensation to physicians, with two distinct types of health service: those that serve the entire university community and others that provide care for students only. Psychiatry, preventive medicine, immunization, and sports medicine were the common services, and all centers were open throughout the year. Patient visits to the centers had increased during the preceding 5 years, although physicians working in university health services experienced approximately the same number of annual patient visits as did community physicians in private practice. The author contrasts services at the Canadian institutions with those reported by colleges and universities in the United States.