School Nurse Perspectives on Collaboration With Primary Care Providers

Bibliographic Data

ID21354262
AuthorsLauren Goldberg (0000-0002-5184-4540, Department of Pediatrics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh 3414 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15213, corresponding author), Jacquelin Rankine (0000-0002-8072-6762, Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh 120 Lytton Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15213), Bridgetta Devlin (Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy 107 Thackeray Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15213), Elizabeth Miller (0000-0002-7266-7766, Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 120 Lytton Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15213), Kristin N Ray (0000-0003-3817-1449, Department of Pediatrics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 3414 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15213)
Year2023
Volume93
Issue8
Pages717-725
Publication date2023-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of School Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4391 • E-ISSN: 1746-1561
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josh.13325
PMID36917956
OpenAlexW4324131181
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited31

BACKGROUND: School nurses are rarely integrated into primary care teams to their full potential. We aimed to characterize school nurses' perceptions related to current and optimal collaboration with primary care providers (PCPs) and identify actionable solutions to improve efficiency, quality, and coordination of pediatric care. METHODS: We conducted and qualitatively analyzed interviews with school nurses to characterize structures, processes, and perceived benefits of optimized school nurse-PCP collaboration. RESULTS: School nurse interviewees (n = 23) identified factors important to school nurse-PCP collaboration within 2 domains: information sharing and relationship building. Information sharing themes included health information sharing laws, data sharing systems, and technology-based communication systems. Relationship building themes included health care sector understanding of the school nurse role, PCP knowledge of school health requirements, shared professional development opportunities, and time and personnel. Perceived benefits of optimized PCP-school nurse collaboration were identified for children, PCPs, school nurses, and parents. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Needs assessments and action plans guided by the domains of information sharing and relationship building can inform local improvements to optimize school nurse-PCP collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: School nurses highlighted cross-sector solutions to enhance school nurse-PCP collaboration including integrated information sharing systems and intentional relationship building.

Equity (law) · Health care · Information sharing · Medical education · Perception · School nurse · School nursing · Child and Adolescent Health · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · School Health and Nursing Education

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