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Woodrow N, Fairbrother H, Breheny K, d'Apice K, Albers PN, Mills C, Curtis M, Hopkins L, Tebbett S, Campbell R, De Vocht F. Exploring the potential of a school-based online health and wellbeing screening tool: professional stakeholders' perspectives and experiences. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:324. [PMID: 35168580 PMCID: PMC8848969 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12748-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12748-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Woodrow
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Regent Court, S1 4DA, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Hannah Fairbrother
- Health Sciences School, University of Sheffield, 3a Clarkehouse Road, S10 2HQ, Sheffield, UK
| | - Katie Breheny
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Barley House, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, BS8 2BN, Bristol, UK
| | - Katrina d'Apice
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Barley House, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, BS8 2BN, Bristol, UK
| | - Patricia N Albers
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Barley House, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, BS8 2BN, Bristol, UK
| | - Clare Mills
- Public Health, Floor 4, Halford Wing, City Hall, 115 Charles Street, LE1 1FZ, Leicester City Council, UK
| | - Matthew Curtis
- Public Health, Floor 4, Halford Wing, City Hall, 115 Charles Street, LE1 1FZ, Leicester City Council, UK
| | - Lisa Hopkins
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Bridge Park Plaza, Bridge Park Road, Thurmaston, Leicestershire, LE4 8PQ, Leicester, UK
| | - Sarah Tebbett
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Bridge Park Plaza, Bridge Park Road, Thurmaston, Leicestershire, LE4 8PQ, Leicester, UK
| | - Rona Campbell
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Barley House, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, BS8 2BN, Bristol, UK
| | - Frank De Vocht
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Barley House, University of Bristol, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, BS8 2BN, Bristol, UK
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Lyons-Coleman M, O'Sullivan E, Thompson W. The impact of COVID-19 on paediatric dental services and tips for patient management. Prim Dent J 2022; 10:88-94. [PMID: 35088634 DOI: 10.1177/20501684211066526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Managing paediatric patients in primary dental care while awaiting treatment by the specialist paediatric dental services can be tricky. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on dental services meaning wait times to be seen by a paediatric dental service may have been delayed. This article will discuss the management of paediatric patients in primary dental care and provide an update on some of the latest techniques in paediatric dentistry. It also covers tips that can be employed in the primary dental care setting such as the use of tooth mousse and silver diamine fluoride.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wendy Thompson
- NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Primary Dental Care, Division of Dentistry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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