School-Based Health
Stories: Case in Point
Real Students, Real Stories"I was playing basketball at school and I fell down and hurt my arm. I went to the Health Center and they checked it out. They took me to the hospital and I had x-rays done, and they found out that I had not a broken arm but a bone tumor. From then on, the Health Center has helped me out a lot."
A male student with apparent behavioral problems was referred by his teacher to the Health Center. The Health Center coordinated a program with other teachers, the guidance department, and the student's mother to document patterns of behavior. In addition, the student sought care from his primary care physician (PCP) and was prescribed anti-depressant medication. The student's mother became concerned about the cost and time to bring him to their physician. The PCP suggested that the student see the mental health care provider at the School-Based Health Center. The counselor working with the student was able to communicate with the PCP and together they decided to refer the student for a psychiatric evaluation.
During a sports physical, a breast mass was found on a female student. She was referred to a surgeon who removed a benign mass.
"I was getting a physical (at the School-Based Health Center) to play tennis and that is where it was discovered that I had hypertension." As a result of that diagnosis, she was able to receive the treatment she needed before her hypertension progressed.
A female student reported to the school nurse episodes of "blankness" which occurred daily. She had recently experienced an episode while driving and was saved when her mother grabbed the wheel. The school nurse called the mother with concerns and an appointment was made with the nurse practitioner for the next day. After collecting a history and performing an exam, the nurse practitioner referred the student to a neurologist, who diagnosed absence seizures and prescribed medication.
Pap smear screenings on two female students revealed abnormal results, which put the students at high risk for cervical cancer. Both students were referred for colposcopy.
"There were so many times in the past that I wished I had someone to talk to. Things were crazy at home and I was doubting myself. The expanded counseling services through the Health Center have given me a lot of support this year."
A female student visited the Health Center and was diagnosed with chlamydia. She received the necessary treatment at the Health Center. She would not have seen her own physician because she was concerned about confidentiality.
A male student visited the Health Center for a sports physical. His blood pressure level was elevated and remained consistent throughout follow-up visits. Several possibilities were investigated and ruled out, including family history, diet, medication, steroids, and renal disease. The student was referred to a pediatric nephrologist and diagnosed with essential hypertension and was put on medication.
A student visited the Health Center in respiratory distress. An ambulance would have been called had the mid-level practitioner not been on-site. Health Center staff were able to work with the Primary Care Physician to resolve this on-going problem. Emotional stress triggered the respiratory distress and Health Center staff were able to provide a safe place for the student to come and work through each episode.
"If it wasn't for the Health Center, I wouldn't be in school! Sophomore year, I found myself sporadically crying for no reason. One day I told my mom and she told me to go see the nurse the next day at school. Between (the mental health provider) and the psychiatrist I was referred to, I was diagnosed as clinically depressed, anorexic, and bulimic. Since then, I've visited the Health Center once a week. They helped me put together a plan to stay in school and improve my grades. I'm a senior now and I volunteer at the kindergarten, take college courses in school, and work a part-time job. I still have bad days sometimes but without the help of (the Health Center), I am not sure if I would have made it through."
Maine Children's Alliance, 303 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330 v. (207) 623-1868 f. (207) 626-3302
e. Mainekids@mekids.org | Privacy Policy | Copyright & Terms of Use | Section 508/Bobby
