The Effect of a School-Based Health Center on Access to Care in a Rural Community

Author

Macey CornwellFollow

Date Available

12-4-2018

Year of Publication

2018

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Judith Daniels

Clinical Mentor

Linda Stovall

Committee Member

Dr. Julianne Ossege

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lack of access to healthcare is a nationwide issue that affects underserved, minority, and rural populations. School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) is one way to help increase access to care for students, staff, and family members.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to provide preliminary data on the impact of a SBHC in a rural Kentucky community on access to care and school attendance.

METHODS: A univariate descriptive analysis was conducted to evaluate the perceived impact of the SBHC on access to care and demographic factors. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, two-sample t-tests, and The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. A survey was conducted along with examination of published attendance rates.

RESULTS: There was a significant and positive relationship between the patient’s perceived impact on access total score and overall access to care with the use of the SBHC (pnd, 5^th, 6^th, 8^th, 10^th, and 11^th, and only teachers from the high school.

CONCLUSION: SBHCs are a needed resource for rural communities to help increase access to care. However, their existence cannot be sustained without adequate financial support. Therefore, SBHCs must take part in the reporting of standardized measures through the SBHC Alliance National Quality Initiative to gain state and national support.

Recommended Citation

Cornwell, Macey, "The Effect of a School-Based Health Center on Access to Care in a Rural Community" (2018). DNP Projects. 225.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/dnp_etds/225