On October 15, the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition kicked off a new telehealth service for students and staff in four rural school districts. This initiative is set to make health care more accessible for students in need.
Seven schools are participating in this pilot program, including Windsor Elementary and Bertie Middle School. The idea was born from discussions that began in May 2024, focusing on health care accessibility challenges faced by students and staff. School leaders identified issues like long travel distances to doctors and the difficulties parents have in taking time off work to visit a health provider.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Bertie, Hyde, Northampton, and Washington counties are classified as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). These areas have high scores, indicating a significant lack of primary care providers. The telehealth service aims to bridge this gap by allowing students to receive digital health consultations on school grounds.
The City of Medicine Volunteer Medical Corps (VMC) will manage this service. Founded in July 2020, VMC has experience collaborating with schools to improve health care access. Dr. Cathi Sander, who started VMC, emphasizes the importance of preventive care for school-aged children.
Telehealth appointments will be available at schools for four out of five weekdays. Students will need parental consent, and Community School Coordinators will help promote the service and educate families. Parents will be informed if a child needs an appointment, reducing the need for them to leave work unexpectedly.
This service can help decrease student absenteeism and transportation issues. By simplifying access to health care, the hope is to improve overall school attendance and health outcomes. Success will be measured by how many students and staff utilize the service.
The initiative reflects a larger trend in health care, where telehealth is becoming more common. In 2022, a survey showed that about 37% of adults had used telehealth services, a stark increase from previous years. As communities embrace technology, schools can play a critical role in bringing necessary health care resources directly to students. This innovative approach not only addresses immediate health needs but also lays the groundwork for stronger health access in rural areas.
For more details on this collaboration, you can read the original article on North Carolina Health News.
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