Background: School-based health centers (SBHCs) have the capability to overcome youth barriers to care. Virtual care programs (VCP) facilitate connection between school nurse and off-site SBHC providers and can increase the reach of SBHCs. This project aimed to examine Denver Public School nurses' perspectives of a pilot VCP.
Methods: Thirteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted and coded using an inductive approach to identify key themes.
Results: Four major themes emerged: (1) obtaining consent, finding space, and capacity are challenges and nurses have suggestions; (2) nurses enjoy feeling like a valued member of a health care team, and providing additional resources to students; (3) nurses perceive benefits in providing free, efficient, higher level of care; (4) adopting novel technology is a facilitator and challenge; limitations included space and privacy.
Conclusions: Key findings can be utilized to further inform practice.
Keywords: pediatrics; school nurse; school-based health center; telehealth; virtual care.
© 2023, American School Health Association.