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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research

Exploring the potential of a school-based online health and wellbeing screening tool: professional stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences

Authors: Nicholas Woodrow, Hannah Fairbrother, Katie Breheny, Katrina d’Apice, Patricia N Albers, Clare Mills, Matthew Curtis, Lisa Hopkins, Sarah Tebbett, Rona Campbell, Frank De Vocht

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Supporting children and young people’s (CYP) mental and physical health is a global policy priority but detecting need and facilitating access to health services and support is challenging. This paper explores professional stakeholders’ perspectives of the acceptability, utility and effectiveness of a school-based online health and wellbeing screening tool, the Digital Health Contact (DHC). The DHC, delivered by Public Health School Nurses (PHSN), aims to identify, and put in place strategies to support, unmet health needs among CYP.

Methods

We employed a qualitative study design, using semi-structured interviews. Fourteen key stakeholders involved in the design and implementation of the DHC (commissioners, providers, PHSN and healthcare staff, school leaders) were purposively sampled. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Our analysis generated two key themes: the perceived benefits of the DHC; and challenges in delivering the DHC. Stakeholders perceived the universal application of the DHC with linked follow-up intervention as an effective means of identifying and supporting CYP with unmet needs, and an efficient way to target limited service resources. There were barriers around enabling school engagement in the DHC, typically in terms of logistics, school infrastructure, and perspectives of fit with schools. These barriers were seen as being negated through developing effective working relationships between schools and PHSN. Effective relationships could highlight the potential benefits of participation. Overall, the DHC was seen as a valuable and effective use of resources, with a low burden on school staff.

Conclusions

The DHC, as a universal school-based health and wellbeing screening tool with linked follow-up intervention, has great potential in identifying and supporting unmet health needs among CYP. The perspectives and experiences of those involved in delivering the DHC highlight important considerations which may enable effective implementation and delivery of school screening programmes across other areas.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Exploring the potential of a school-based online health and wellbeing screening tool: professional stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences
Authors
Nicholas Woodrow
Hannah Fairbrother
Katie Breheny
Katrina d’Apice
Patricia N Albers
Clare Mills
Matthew Curtis
Lisa Hopkins
Sarah Tebbett
Rona Campbell
Frank De Vocht
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12748-2

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