Improving Access Through Implementation of Site-Based Well-Child Visits in Head Start

Authors

  • Kristina M. Roberson Duke University
  • Jane E. Blood-Siegfried Duke University
  • Anne L. Derouin Duke University
  • John P. Vartenisian Virginia Tech

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55370/hsdialog.v18i2.246

Keywords:

school based clinic, school based health center, nurse practitioner, preschool, head start, low-income children, well-child care, preventitive pediatric health

Abstract

Children in poverty are at greater risk for developmental and health problems and face significant barriers in accessing routine preventive healthcare. Evidence based guidelines recommend stricter adherence to the schedule of well-child care to promote early identification and treatment. Literature indicates that well-child visits in school settings make a difference among low-income children with unmet preventive healthcare needs. This study describes the implementation of a well-child visit program in a Head Start site with enrollments of children living in poverty. The comparison study design measured the aggregate percentage of children up to date with well-child visits against historical pre-data. There were increases in the proportion of children up to date with the site-based intervention. Implications support the establishment of school-based health centers in Head Start sites that provides well-child visits as well as illness management.

Author Biographies

Kristina M. Roberson, Duke University

Kristina Roberson is a certified family nurse practitioner at Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine in Guilford County, NC. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Duke University, and is a candidate for Duke’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Her research interests center around innovations that improve access to care among the medically underserved.

Jane E. Blood-Siegfried, Duke University

Jane Blood-Siegfried is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and professor at Duke University. She is also a fellow of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners/Associates. She has a doctorate in nursing from UCLA with a focus of study in immunology and neurobiology of the young infant. Her areas of interest and research include immune response, vaccines, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), and health maintenance.

Anne L. Derouin, Duke University

Anne Derouin is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor at Duke University. She earned her doctorate in nursing from Duke University. Her research interests include adolescent healthcare, school-based, school-linked and community health care, and innovations in communication and healthcare delivery.

John P. Vartenisian, Virginia Tech

John Vartenisian is the assistant director with the Guilford Child Development Head Start and Early Head Start programs. He earned his doctor of education in educational administration from Virginia Tech. His research interests include school based innovations among preschool and school aged children.

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Published

2015-07-28

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2

Section

Research Articles

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