Challenges of Documenting Schoolchildren’s Psychosocial Health

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore school nurses' experience of challenges related to documenting schoolchildren's psychosocial health in Sweden. Six focus group discussions were carried out. Areas for discussions included questions about situations, especially challenging to document as well as what constrains and/or facilitates documenting psychosocial health problem issues. Qualitative content analysis was used for interpreting the data. The analysis resulted in one overarching theme: having to do one's duty and being afraid of doing wrong; and three subthemes: uncertainty related to one's own ability, concerns related to future consequences, and strategies to handle the documentation. School nurses relying on their intuition and using a structured documentation model may increase the opportunities for a reliable documentation. To further develop their professional skills with regular, clinical supervision can be of great importance. This in turn may increase contributions to research and development for the benefit of schoolchildren's psychosocial health.

School and Child Protection Services Professionals’ Views on the school’s Mission and Responsibilities for Children Living with Domestic Violence – Tensions and Gaps

“…The training of school personnel is important, but Alexander et al (2005) show that training initiatives are not enough: it is also necessary to change attitudes around children living with domestic violence (cf. Chanmugam and Teasley 2014;Clausson et al 2015;Dufva 2001;Odenbring et al 2015). The professionals requested clear guidelines about how an issue such as domestic violence is to be managed in the school.…”

“…Some studies have shown that they tend to avoid documenting psychosocial problems and problems related to the family in student health records. They may be afraid of stigmatizing the child or the parents, or of meeting the parents (Clausson et al 2015;Münger and Markström 2018).…”

Swedish school nurses’ perspectives on caring for and promoting the health of adolescents with mental health problems – A qualitative study the Health of Adolescents with Mental Health Problems – A Qualitative Study

“…The structure of the health record, which emphasises physical health, made it more difficult to document sensitive issues, although doing so was considered important. [18] Earlier studies of school nurses have shown the importance of building a trusting relationship with adolescents. It was important that the school nurse was present and had an "open door" for counselling and discussion.…”

“…The SHS is led and managed by the principal of the school and includes professions such as school nurses, school physicians, psychologists, guidance counselors and special education teachers. [1] In upper-secondary school, the school nurse invites each student aged [16][17][18][19] to a health dialogue during the first year with the aim of promoting and strengthening the health of the student. [2] Various health and lifestyle questionnaires have been developed and used during the health dialogue.…”

Hispanic Mothers' Experiences with School-Based Emotional Health Curriculum and Perspectives of Their Own Mental Health Needs

“…A inductive content analysis was conducted (Elo & Kyngäs, 2008). Specifically, meaning units, codes, and themes accompanied by the supporting transcribed narrative were produced to capture mothers' experiences and perspectives (Clausson, Berg, & Janlöv, 2015).…”