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Developing and supporting school health programs. Role for family physicians
1McGill University, Montreal. mdyf@musica.Mcgill.ca
Summary
School staff anxiety regarding student health issues can be addressed by forming a health committee. This multidisciplinary committee can assess needs and develop effective school health policies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- School Health Programs
- Community Health
Background:
- School staff express concerns about time demands due to perceived increases in student health problems.
- This highlights a need for structured support systems within educational institutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a health committee in elementary and high schools to address staff concerns.
- To conduct needs assessments and develop tailored health policies and procedures for the school environment.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary committee comprising family physicians, school administrators, and a nurse practitioner was formed.
- The committee investigated various aspects of student health, including illness management, emergency response, special needs, safety, and health education resources.
Main Results:
- Exploration of diverse school health aspects including acute/chronic illness, emergency preparedness, and special needs management.
- Assessment of environmental safety and the availability of health learning resources for all school stakeholders.
Conclusions:
- Family physicians have opportunities to increase their engagement in school-based child and adolescent health.
- Collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches that align with community needs are essential for successful school health initiatives.