Healthy students make better learners – and regular attendance at school is critical to their success. So when illnesses or injuries occur, or an educator has concerns about a student’s physical or mental wellness, telehealth services can provide vital resources and solutions.

A number of organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have confirmed that unmet student health needs can be a significant barrier to motivation and learning. Telehealth offers nearly instant access to primary and urgent care, disease management, mental and behavioral health services, and medications – all done remotely and with students missing a minimal amount of time in the classroom.

Virtual Consultations and Diagnostics

Videoconferencing and other interactive tools allow students to receive multi-specialty healthcare from a distance, engaging with providers while they’re at school. This includes those from areas and groups that have been traditionally underserved.

• At schools offering telehealth, virtual appointments with providers are done on-site, eliminating the need to travel to and from appointments. Additional services include educating students and families about ongoing care needs and how to access Medicaid and other resources. Telehealth providers can also connect with local providers to help students establish “medical homes,” ensuring they receive continuity of care in their own communities.
• If physical symptoms indicate something other than a medical problem, providers can recommend the right intervention linked with school-based support. For instance, a stomach ache may not be linked to a virus but rather fear of being bullied or even hunger. What better collaboration is there to fully address students’ needs than one between their teacher and their healthcare provider?

Keeping Healthcare Costs Down

School-based telehealth programs help keep the overall cost of healthcare down. Along with decreasing absenteeism, these programs generate savings for involved families, including parents or guardians who avoid taking time off work to take their children to appointments.

Here’s a closer look at the benefits. Telehealth:

• Provides access to qualified primary care and specialty providers, regardless of a child or school’s geographic location.
• Offers early, accurate diagnosis of injuries and illnesses.
• Minimizes time spent making doctors’ office appointments, as well as reducing transportation time and expenses.
• Gives students, educators, and parents up-to-date assistance in dealing with chronic or complex conditions.
• It may encourage students to engage in healthcare fields and possibly consider them as future careers.

Through telehealth, nurses can assess students’ health, and physicians can observe examinations online. Prescriptions and lab tests can be ordered. Parents can engage via apps on their mobile devices and, in more serious cases, immediately follow up with whatever steps are necessary. This intervention saves valuable time and can ultimately mean fewer doctors visits and a reduction in medical costs for families.

Make a Real Difference in Student Healthcare

Does a telehealth career working with students strike a chord in your ongoing career plans? If so, check out available roles and apply today! We can help you find just what you’re looking for – and make a real difference in educational and other healthcare specialties.