The resolution of health problems in school children.

The resolution rates of health problems identified in school children by primary care, physical examination, or screenings were examined during a two-year period. The evaluation component of the National School Health Program involved a range of school health services provided in four states to more than 13,000 children. A school nurse practitioner-health aide team worked in collaboration with a community physician consultant to manage the resolution of identified problems. More than 95% of the problems were resolved or in process of resolution at the end of each school year. Resolution patterns were relatively consistent across problem severity levels. Factors contributing to the timely resolutions of health problems by nurse practitioners included their ability to manage and resolve more than 90% of the problems within the school-based practice with physician backup and their access to a medical support network for external referrals.