Abstract
Background: Social determinants of health are critical to healthcare access and uptake within the adolescent refugee population. Certain social determinants of health involving transportation, finances, and education level, along with the refugee community’s pre-existing perceptions about health, influences access and behaviors related to health. This project considers the intersectionality of the pediatric and refugee population to augment facilitators and minimize barriers that exist in healthcare access and delivery. The purpose of this project is to implement a school-based screening event and referral process for adolescents attending a charter school for refugees in a large city in the Southeastern United States. The overall goal is to improve ease of access to health care, ensure documentation and monitoring of referrals, and follow-through for referral care. Methods: A screening event was implemented within the school, and a standardized tracking system was used to document and monitor health status and referral care. A referral document was created based on screening results for families to provide to the appropriate specialist. Surveys were sent home to assess satisfaction of a school-based intervention, communication for referral care, and follow-up care received. Findings: By using a community-based screening, data tracking was implemented through a standardized tracking system, and multiple health concerns were identified for further evaluation. Of the 73 students, 43 were screened at 58%. 31 of the 43 students required referrals at 73%. A total of 42 referrals were made due to multiple referrals per student. Discussion: Implementing a systematic approach to community-based screenings can allow for an improved communication and follow-through with referral care. To best address the barriers that influence health behaviors, which directly result in health concerns, it is vital to meet the community where they are to promote optimal healthcare access and delivery.
Table of Contents
Background: Social determinants of health are critical to healthcare access and uptake within the adolescent refugee population. Certain social determinants of health involving transportation, finances, and education level, along with the refugee community’s pre-existing perceptions about health, influences access and behaviors related to health. This project considers the intersectionality of the pediatric and refugee population to augment facilitators and minimize barriers that exist in healthcare access and delivery. The purpose of this project is to implement a school-based screening event and referral process for adolescents attending a charter school for refugees in a large city in the Southeastern United States. The overall goal is to improve ease of access to health care, ensure documentation and monitoring of referrals, and follow-through for referral care. Methods: A screening event was implemented within the school, and a standardized tracking system was used to document and monitor health status and referral care. A referral document was created based on screening results for families to provide to the appropriate specialist. Surveys were sent home to assess satisfaction of a school-based intervention, communication for referral care, and follow-up care received. Findings: By using a community-based screening, data tracking was implemented through a standardized tracking system, and multiple health concerns were identified for further evaluation. Of the 73 students, 43 were screened at 58%. 31 of the 43 students required referrals at 73%. A total of 42 referrals were made due to multiple referrals per student. Discussion: Implementing a systematic approach to community-based screenings can allow for an improved communication and follow-through with referral care. To best address the barriers that influence health behaviors, which directly result in health concerns, it is vital to meet the community where they are to promote optimal healthcare access and delivery.
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