The recent scoping review titled "Nursing Practice and Telehealth in School Health Services: A Scoping Review" underscores the transformative potential of telehealth in school nursing practice. With a data-driven approach, this blog will delve into key findings and actionable strategies for practitioners to enhance their skills and improve outcomes for children.
Understanding the Scope of Telehealth in School Nursing
The review categorized the results into three main areas:
- The purpose of telehealth and intervention strategies
- The role of nursing in school-based telehealth practice
- Perceived benefits and limitations of school-based telehealth studies
1. Purpose of Telehealth and Intervention Strategies
Telehealth interventions in school settings primarily focus on:
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Mental health management
- Early diagnosis and intervention
These interventions include tele-education, telediagnosis, telemonitoring, and teleconsultation, all tailored to meet the unique needs of school children.
2. The Role of Nursing in School-Based Telehealth Practice
School nurses play a multifaceted role in telehealth, including:
- Administration and monitoring of medical guidelines
- Motivational interviewing and behavioral assessment
- Educational interventions and crisis management
Their involvement ensures seamless communication between students, parents, and healthcare providers, thereby enhancing the overall quality of care.
3. Perceived Benefits and Limitations
The review highlighted several benefits of school-based telehealth:
- Improved health outcomes and reduced symptoms
- Enhanced clinical care and family cooperation
- Cost savings and better resource allocation
However, challenges such as digital literacy, access to devices, and implementation costs need to be addressed for broader adoption.
Implementing Telehealth: Practical Steps for Practitioners
Based on the review, here are actionable steps for school nurses to effectively implement telehealth:
- Invest in Training: Enhance digital literacy among staff, students, and parents to ensure smooth telehealth interactions.
- Collaborate with Stakeholders: Work closely with healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers to create a supportive environment for telehealth.
- Utilize Data-Driven Tools: Employ telehealth platforms that offer robust data analytics to monitor and improve health outcomes.
- Focus on Preventive Care: Use telehealth for health education and early intervention to prevent chronic conditions.
Encouraging Further Research
While the review provides a comprehensive overview, it also highlights the need for more empirical evidence. School nurses are encouraged to:
- Participate in research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth interventions
- Share best practices and success stories to build a repository of knowledge
- Advocate for funding and resources to support telehealth initiatives
To read the original research paper, please follow this
Nursing Practice and Telehealth in School Health Services: A Scoping Review.
