A computerized school-based health assessment with rapid feedback to improve adolescent health

A computerized school-based health assessment with rapid feedback to improve adolescent health

Bracken AC; Hersh AL; Johnson DJ

Clinical Pediatrics

1998

Female; Humans; Male; Adolescent Psychology; Questionnaires; Adolescent Health Services; Adolescent Behavior; Feedback; Primary Health Care; adolescent; Adolescent Transitions; Health Surveys; School Health Services

Adolescent health problems are often undetected in physicians' offices. The Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project has developed a validated and reliable approach to identify adolescent health problems and initiate education in a school setting. A self-administered, anonymous, 26-item questionnaire was given to 204 students in a rural high school. Responses were scanned into PC-based software. Within one working day students were given individualized letters identifying their problem health issues as detected by the questionnaire and recommendations for education. Ninety-nine percent of students participated. Six weeks later 49% of a sample of 41 students reported reading the information and 50% planned to change behavior. This standardized, validated strategy of adolescent health assessment, feedback, and education was feasible for use in schools. The school responded to the data by employing a psychologist to address mental health needs.

1998

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