In my program, we all have to do an underserved rotation. Mine was at a School Based Health Clinic, a Teen Health Clinic primarily. I spent some time at a clinic at an elementary school as well.
School based health care practitioners manage medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes, and behavioral health experts address issues such as depression, anxiety, attention disorders, and social conflict. SBHCs provide immunizations, sports physicals and well-child visits, and health screenings. Many sites are offering services to support students in health education, social services, oral health, vision care, and nutrition counseling.
Eight out of ten SBHCs serve students in sixth through twelfth grades. The goal is to empower this age group to make healthy and positive decisions regarding their health. SBHCs have long focused on the health of adolescents and this effort has been proven to prevent school dropout by addressing barriers to learning. Some of those barriers include: drug use, teen pregnancy, violence, hunger, and poverty. These issues ultimately affect health, and the rate of high school drop out affects the nation economically and morally. SBHCs take advantage of their captive audience to make a major investment in their health, enabling kids to thrive.
Access to birth control has been a controversial issue for the SBHCs. However, only 37% of SBHCs provide birth control, and only 11% offer long acting reversible contraception (LARCs). Teen pregnancy rates are at historic lows, in part because teens are using contraception more, not because they are having less sex. In 2014 the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended LARCs for prevention of teen pregnancy, however, these methods are more invasive and longer lasting when compared with taking the pill. Therefore, it is difficult for many parents and guardians to get on board with their teen having access to LARCs.
I have truly enjoyed my experience at the Teen Health Clinic. I’ve never heard of such a thing until this clinical rotation, and I have to say it’s amazing. I saw patients who were technically homeless, living in shelters, transitional homes, and even in cars. In fact, during the 2015-2016 school year 3800 homeless students were identified in the district. The team I have worked with most extensively is the most caring group of individuals, from the office coordinator, to the health educator and mental health counselor, to the school nurse and the PA/NP medical providers. Everyone is invested in making a difference in the lives of the kids that come across their paths.
Fun thing about working at a school on Halloween: You get to dress up!
Everyone is welcome here.
