ADOLESCENT HEALTH - A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF A SCHOOL DOCTOR CLINIC

Aim. To describe a school doctor clinic at a New Zealand secondary sch ool. Methods. A three phase study was designed and conducted at a coed ucational secondary school in Auckland. Firstly, a health questionnair e was developed to assess adolescents' perceptions of their health sta tus and use of primary health care services. The second phase was a de scriptive study of a newly established school doctor clinic. The docto r clinic was run twice weekly over a 3 month period in 1993. The third phase of the study was a clinic-based satisfaction survey. Results. A 75% response rate was achieved, with a total of 221 health questionna ires completed from 292. Although the majority of students (n=184, 84% ) considered themselves healthy, 16% (n=36) described their health as only 'fair' or 'poor'. Seventy one percent (n=157) of students had see n their general practitioner in the preceeding twelve months. Thirteen percent (n=142) of the school population consulted the school doctor clinic. Significantly more female, Maori and European students attende d the school doctor clinic compared with the school demography. The co mmonest diagnoses for the doctor clinic were respiratory, skin and mus culoskeletal problems. Thirty one percent of the diagnoses related to recognised adolescent health needs such as contraception, sexual healt h, nutrition, and psychosocial problems. Over two thirds of students a t the first consultation had not seen another health provider. Student s perceived that the doctor clinic overcame barriers such as access, c ost and confidentiality.Conclusion. The school doctor clinic was well utilised, overcame some barriers to access and addressed many recognis ed adolescent health needs.