As a young person’s doctor, you are the trusted healthcare provider in the eyes of that person and their parent(s) or caregiver(s). You stay ahead of any health-related issues that may impact a patient’s ability to succeed in school, and your advice and instructions carry weight.
You play a big role in encouraging parents and caregivers to keep school nurses informed about their child(ren)’s health-related concerns. Let them know a call or message to the school nurse, similar to how they keep you and your team in the know, is so helpful. Awareness of relevant medical diagnoses, treatments, or medications will help your patients’ school nurse better assess and accommodate them on a daily basis throughout the school year.
In addition to providing parents with this advice, you and your staff can reach out directly to the school nurse. Check in with them from time to time to build a relationship. Depending on the size of your practice, your patient base may span a few schools or districts. This type of open communication between doctor and school nurse helps build relationships that can benefit both parties when it comes to individual—and community—health.
As a physician, you understand the impact even minor changes in student health can have on their ability to fully engage in educational pursuits. Keeping your patients’ school nurses informed, just as you would inform other healthcare providers on your care team, is a simple yet impactful way to support your patients while in school.
Through a partnership with Moses Taylor Foundation, the Lackawanna and Luzerne County Medical Societies has been exploring ways to better collaborate with our region’s school nurses. We’re pleased to share a series of articles over the next few months to open conversations and highlight topics that matter to our regional healthcare community.