Citation

Wells DB, Teagle SE, Brinsfield C, Cleveland ER, Hardin BH, Peterson MS, Portilla MG, Pumphrey CL, Smith PD, West B. J. Investig. Med. 1996; 44(1): 53A.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, American Federation for Clinical Research, Publisher B C Decker)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In an effort to improve access to health care among adolescents, the AR Dept. of Health (ADH) operates 22 school-based clinics statewide. School-based clinic staff, however, lack training in comprehensive adolescent health care. To address this need, the adolescent health divisions of ADH and AR Children's Hosp. (ACH) developed a 3-day fellowship program (grant MCJ05SH01, DHS). The training consisted of rotations through the comprehensive adolescent clinic at ACH, lectures, and individual case conferences. Each participant was instructed on how to take a comprehensive adolescent case history and were required to complete one before exiting the program. To evaluate the program, 1 pre- and 2 post- tests (after 3 days, and 4 mos. post) were conducted. We evaluated clinic staffs' comfort levels, using a 5-point scale ( 1=extremely uncomfortable; 5=extremely comfortable), in discussing 22 health-related topics with adolescents. The sample included 35 subjects, the majority of whom were female (97%) and Caucasian (57%). Most of the participants were RNs, LPNs, health educators, or social workers, ranging in age from 20 - 40 yrs. The average yrs. of experience working with adolescents was 6 yrs (SD=6.62). Preliminary analysis of the pre- and first post-test indicated that, overall, participants reported greater comfort discussing sexuality issues, including family planning (34.5%), STDs (31%), and high risk behaviors (24.1%). Participants reported they were "extremely uncomfortable" discussing abortion (10.3%), sports-related injuries (7.1%), and homosexuality (3.7%). Participants reported they were "very uncomfortable" discussing rape (28.6%), psychosomatic complaints (27.6%), family conflict (20.7%), and suicide (17.9%). By the end of the 3 days, participants reported an increase in their comfort levels discussing 95% of the 22 health topics. They reported the largest decline in discomfort levels discussing psychosomatic complaints (73.1% decline), suicide (37.9%), and family conflict (28.5%). The final report will include data from the second post-test to examine longer-term change. Preliminary results indicate the need for future school health staff training efforts that focus on issues participants are "uncomfortable" discussing with adolescents.

Language: en