Exploring the potential of a school-based online health and wellbeing screening tool: professional stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences

Abstract

Background Supporting children and young people’s (CYP) mental and physical health is a global policy priority but detecting need and facilitating access to health services and support is challenging. This paper explores professional stakeholders’ perspectives of the acceptability, utility and effectiveness of a school-based online health and wellbeing screening tool, the Digital Health Contact (DHC). The DHC, delivered by Public Health School Nurses (PHSN), aims to identify, and put in place strategies to support, unmet health needs among CYP. Methods We employed a qualitative study design, using semi-structured interviews. Fourteen key stakeholders involved in the design and implementation of the DHC (commissioners, providers, PHSN and healthcare staff, school leaders) were purposively sampled. Data were analysed thematically. Results Our analysis generated two key themes: the perceived benefits of the DHC; and challenges in delivering the DHC. Stakeholders perceived the universal application of the DHC with linked follow-up intervention as an effective means of identifying and supporting CYP with unmet needs, and an efficient way to target limited service resources. There were barriers around enabling school engagement in the DHC, typically in terms of logistics, school infrastructure, and perspectives of fit with schools. These barriers were seen as being negated through developing effective working relationships between schools and PHSN. Effective relationships could highlight the potential benefits of participation. Overall, the DHC was seen as a valuable and effective use of resources, with a low burden on school staff. Conclusions The DHC, as a universal school-based health and wellbeing screening tool with linked follow-up intervention, has great potential in identifying and supporting unmet health needs among CYP. The perspectives and experiences of those involved in delivering the DHC highlight important considerations which may enable effective implementation and delivery of school screening programmes across other areas.

Exploring the Potential of a School-Based Online Health and Wellbeing Screening Tool: Young People’s Perspectives

“…This is the first study to focus specifically on young people’s perspectives of the DHC, and the acceptability of the DHC and its abilities to identify and provide support for unmet physical and mental health needs, building on previous work exploring the perspectives of key stakeholders involved in the DHC programme [ 41 , 67 ]. In light of challenges in screening programme feasibility [ 20 ], and limitations around implementation of the DHC programme (including challenges around securing school engagement/participation [ 41 ]), exploring young people’s perceptions of acceptability provides beneficial insights into their experiences of school-based screening programmes.…”

“…There is growing evidence that universal school-based health screening offers the potential to help identify and provide support for young people with unmet health needs [ 21 , 31 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. There is also growing evidence of the positive perspectives of school-based screening for health needs from parents and professionals [ 33 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], but less exploration of young people’s perspectives of their acceptability. Despite concerns around potential adverse effects from labelling [ 33 ], screening surveys have been suggested to be an effective and accepted method for exploring health issues [ 31 ], and an approach which potentially removes stigma and judgement, resulting in increased disclosure of need [ 20 , 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

“…Below, we provide a brief description of the DHC programme. A more detailed description can be found here [ 41 ].…”

“…(2) What are the strengths and weaknesses of the DHC programme, and what learning and recommendations can young people’s experiences provide for the delivery of the DHC? We have previously reported on perceived levels of effectiveness and feasibility of the DHC among programme stakeholders (providers and commissioners, PHSN and practitioners delivering the DHC, school leaders) [ 41 ].…”

The impact of the newly developed school-based ‘Digital Health Contact’—Evaluating a health and wellbeing screening tool for adolescents in England

“…The Digital Health Contact (DHC) has been described in detail elsewhere [16,17]. It is an online, school-based, self-report, health and wellbeing screening tool, commissioned in the East Midlands of England.…”