A school-based comprehensive health clinic for adolescents
Blum, R.W.; Pfaffinger, K.; Donald, W.B.
Journal of School Health 52(8): 486-490
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4391 PMID: 6923962 DOI: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1982.tb04021.xDocument Number: 427816
Because adolescent health care often is minimal as a result of a reluctance to seek health advice, a health clinic was developed and installed in a high school. This clinic was linked to a community referral and medical support system. Almost half the students (914) registered were seen during the first year's operation. Furthermore, the clinic provided a good basis to enhance the educational process by integrating health services and health eduation. Results from this first year's evaluation indicated that accessibility to services allowed for early intervention (141 students were interested in family planning) and reduced morbidity (414 cases of acute minor illness). Walk-in visits were the most common occurrances (50 compared to 44% for scheduled visits). This clinic demonstrated that adolescents will accept medical services if readily accessible, especially in communities that are medically underserved. (kbc)