A school-based clinic for elementary schools in Phoenix, Arizona

Area of Science:

• Community Health
• Pediatric Healthcare
• School-Based Services

Background:

• Many children lack consistent access to essential health care services.
• School nurses play a crucial role in identifying health needs among students.
• Inter-organizational collaboration is vital for expanding healthcare access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a collaborative model for delivering healthcare services to elementary school children.
• To assess the feasibility of integrating healthcare services within the school setting.
• To improve health outcomes for underserved student populations.

Main Methods:

• A partnership was formed between a community hospital, school district, and private pediatrician.
• School nurses identified children needing care and obtained parental consent.
• A nurse practitioner provided daily on-site services, supported by hospital resources and pediatrician oversight.

Main Results:

• The program successfully connected identified children with necessary healthcare services.
• Collaboration facilitated access to pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, and emergency services.
• The pediatrician provided essential medical direction and community linkage.

Conclusions:

• A multi-sectoral collaboration can effectively provide comprehensive healthcare access for school children.
• School-based health services, led by nurse practitioners, are a viable model for improving pediatric care.
• Strong community partnerships are key to successful school health initiatives.