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School-Based Clinics


At election time every year, we often think of the national level policy goals. The hot topics are usually about health care, the economy, the national debt, racial and social equity, and foreign policy. Elections aren't only about national-level issues. They are also about states and communities. School board elections or bond issues are often on the ballot at the local level. Providing school-based health clinics is an important health policy issue that should be considered at the local level. 

What Are School-Based Clinics?

School-based clinics (also known as school-based health centers) are clinics that are located inside or near schools. They usually serve as primary care clinics. Students, staff, and faculty could use the clinic services.  Clinics inside schools may consist of one or more primary care providers, such as a doctor or a nurse practitioner. The doctor may then have additional staff assisting in the clinic including nurses, office staff, and medical assistants. An expanded school-based clinic may also include counselors or psychologists, dentists, nutritionists, and public health professionals as part of the care team. They may wish to follow a patient-centered versus a holistic approach when meeting students' needs. 

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What Are The Benefits of School-Based Clinics?

When the clinic is in school, students have a place to go in case they are sick. A school nurse may refer the student to the clinic or may work in the clinic. By giving students a place to go and by offering more comprehensive health services, clinics reduce absenteeism. Another way clinics reduce absenteeism is that students don't have to leave school to go to their healthcare appointments. They can leave class and then return to the school day. For high school students, especially, school-based health appointments may be less dependent on parent availability. At the beginning of the school year, some students may miss school because they have not received their vaccinations or physicals. The school can set up vaccination clinics and provide physicals for kids.

Another benefit of school-based clinics is that children will have better access to healthcare services.  Students who are uninsured or underinsured can receive care at either no cost or a reduced cost at the school. Access issues, like transportation, location, and socioeconomic background can also be circumvented. Students will be able to go to the clinic because they are already at school. Additional transportation is not needed. If students are in large metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), then they may have had a harder time getting an appointment with a local pediatrician. When the clinic is at the school, the care provider sees a finite patient population. For students in rural areas, long trips, or drive to the nearest provider can be reduced. Again, the provider is available at school every day. 

Another great benefit of school-based clinics is increased opportunities for instituting public health programs by providing education, information, and creating policy. Schools are often a great place for "public health laboratories" where the public health initiative is tried by a small population first. Public health professionals, furthermore, can educate students, parents, and communities about public health initiatives. 

How Are School-Based Clinics Funded?

Multiple funding streams are available for school-based clinics. Grants are available through governmental agencies to finance the clinics. Other financing options may include creating a partnership with existing healthcare entities, such as a primary care clinic or a children's hospital. Communities may opt to raise a school bond issue or add an increase in tax dollars to the ballot to fund the clinic. Another available option includes raising money through private parties or establishing a foundation. 



Sources

Health Resources and Services Administration. School-Based Health Centers. Last Reviewed: May 2017. Found online at https://www.hrsa.gov/our-stories/school-health-centers/index.html

Arenson, M., Hudson, P. J., Lee, N., & Lai, B. (2019). The Evidence on School-Based Health Centers: A Review. Global pediatric health6, 2333794X19828745. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X19828745

Sarikey, C. (2020). Learning in the Time of COVID-19. School-Based Health Centers: Trusted Lifelines in a Time of Crisis. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/covid-oakland-school-based-health-centers

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