Data Collection on the Model Schools Pediatric Health Initiative at 5 SBHC Sites: COVID-19 Questionnaire

Unity Health Toronto

Status: Completed

Conditions: COVID-19 Experience

Treatments: Other: COVID-19

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04534595

19-060

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Model School Pediatric Health Initiative arose out of concern about health access inequities and disparities among some of Toronto's most vulnerable children living in our inner-city neighborhoods. It is well documented that illness, emotional difficulties and self-esteem impacts a variety of educational markers including school attendance and performance. Providing health care in schools may be the most direct and efficient way to ensure that all children have access to the care they need including diagnosis, management and follow up of multiple health and school related concerns. American research has demonstrated that inner city children who had access to an elementary school-based health clinic (SBHC) had less difficulty receiving treatment for illnesses and injuries, immunizations, and physical examinations. In addition, rates of enrolment and utilization of elementary SBHCs are higher in those children who traditionally have poorer access to health care. Given the vast differences in the Canadian and American health systems it is important to evaluate SBHCs in Canada before long-term implementation.

The objective of this study is to collect data including demographic characteristics and clinical features of students attending a SHBC at five selected sites in Toronto. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the research team is additionally interested in asking about families' experiences with the pandemic and school closures. It is hypothesized, that these vulnerable children who come from lower income families and/or are newcomers to Canada attending these SHBCs, are likely to experience more mental health symptoms with the heightened uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study will be a prospective chart review design. A COVID-19 questionnaire will be constructed and administered online at three time points: baseline, 6 months upon completion of the baseline questionnaire, and 12 months upon completion of the baseline questionnaire.

Enrollment: 851 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 4 to 13 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• All students attending a school-based health centre (SBHC) will be included in the chart review and asked to complete an online questionnaire.

Exclusion criteria

Trial design

851 participants in 1 patient group

Students attending SBHCs

Description:

The students enrolled in 5 schools with the school based health clinic implemented would be studied in terms of their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treatment:

Other: COVID-19