Is there a role for a primary health nurse in a learning support team in a disadvantaged high school? Evaluation of a pilot study
Sarah Dennis A B G , Ted Noon C and Siaw Teng Liaw D E FA Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia.
B Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Level 3, AGSM Building, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
C Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
D School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Level 3, Samuels Building, Gate 11, Botany Street, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
E South Western Sydney Local Health District, Locked Bag 7279, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.
F Ingham Institute, PO Box 3151, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: sarah.dennis@sydney.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(6) 530-538 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY15166
Submitted: 28 August 2015 Accepted: 24 November 2015 Published: 9 May 2016
Abstract
Disadvantaged children experience more health problems and have poorer educational outcomes compared with students from advantaged backgrounds. This paper presents the quantitative and qualitative findings from a pilot study to determine the impact of the Healthy Learner model, where an experienced primary care nurse was embedded in a learning support team in a disadvantaged high school. Students entering high school with National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) scores in the lowest quartile for the school were assessed by the nurse and identified health issues addressed. Thirty-nine students were assessed in 2012–13 and there were up to seven health problems identified per student, ranging from serious neglect to problems such as uncorrected vision or hearing. Many of these problems were having an impact on the student and their ability to engage in learning. Families struggled to navigate the health system, they had difficulty explaining the student’s problems to health professionals and costs were a barrier. Adding a nurse to the learning support team in this disadvantaged high school was feasible and identified considerable unmet health needs that affect a student’s ability to learn. The families needed extensive support to access any subsequent health care they required.
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