How Can School Nurses Work With Parents to Best Utilize School-Based Virtual Care?
School nurses may need to present the benefits of pediatric telemedicine in Alaska schools to help them understand how the system works. We recommend highlighting a few key elements.
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Convenience is important for parents. They need high-quality care that is easily accessible. That’s what the Alaska Children’s School-Based Virtual Care program is all about.
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Parents can trust that their children can receive individualized treatment from a board-certified pediatric specialist, even while at school.
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Parents can also be directly involved in asking questions, talking to their children, and making informed choices about their families’ medical care.
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Kids don’t have to sacrifice instruction time, and parents don’t have to sacrifice work time.
Ultimately, it’s a win-win for everyone! When timing, distance, and commitments are roadblocks to healthcare, kids and families suffer. That’s the problem that the Alaska Children’s School-Based Virtual Care program aims to solve. For nurses who want more information to make sure their school is enrolled in this service, contact us today.
School-Based Telehealth - For Nurses
School-Based Telehealth in Alaska
Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach is a leader in school-based telehealth in Alaska. Driven by our goal of providing quality healthcare to children in Alaska despite geographic boundaries and distance, we’ve found an effective, convenient, and innovative way to bring medical care to kids and their families without sacrificing work or educational time.
School professionals, especially school nurses, are invited to reach out to our team to learn more about offering this service on your campus.
How Does School-Based Telehealth Work in Alaska?
Providing pediatric telemedicine for schools in Alaska is a game-changer. When a child registered for these services becomes ill or injured, a school nurse can coordinate a virtual appointment with a board-certified pediatric specialist from Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach. Parents are also invited via text to join the appointment.
During the appointment, the provider and school nurse work together with the child and parents to create a treatment plan. Decisions are made jointly about whether the child should stay at school or go home, based on symptom severity and the likelihood of contagion. If the child is able to return to the classroom, the nurse can implement the care plan while the child is on campus. Parents are sent digital copies of instructions and prescriptions, if needed.
Lastly, follow-up visits can be scheduled to monitor the child’s progress and recovery, with input and direction from the school nurse, the child’s primary care doctor, and the patient and his or her parents.
The Convenience of Pediatric Telemedicine for Schools in Alaska
For school nurses, the convenience of having same-day virtual care at school is critical. Having easy access to medical providers on campus means kids can get back to class faster without leaving school for an in-person appointment. This convenience also gives nurses a second layer of support as they interact with dozens of kids each day with a variety of needs.
This is also a vital option for students in remote and rural communities in Alaska, where barriers to accessing nearby healthcare providers are significant. School nurses play a critical role in implementing the care plan while the child is at school. This may involve periodically checking a wound or administering medication throughout the day. Nurses help our Alaska Children’s team follow through on the care plan and monitor the child to see if adjustments are needed.
Cooperation is at the core of the Alaska Children’s School-Based Virtual Care program. Together, parents, school nurses, and pediatric specialists ensure that care is delivered quickly and effectively, keeping Alaska’s youth healthy and well.
Ongoing Support for Pediatric Telemedicine for Schools in Alaska
Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach is a group of pediatric-focused specialists who prioritize a child-friendly environment and convenience for parents. We strive to break down barriers to healthcare so that we can all enjoy the benefits of wellness. These values are fulfilled largely through our school-based telehealth services. You can learn more about this program and our other outreach efforts by contacting us.