Keywords

telehealth, telecare, telemedicine, school, schools

Abstract

Telehealth, the provision of healthcare through long-distance telecommunications technology, is a tool that can be used by school nurses to address and improve the health status of school children. The purpose of this literature review is to examine research related to implementation of telehealth in the school setting. A review of the literature was conducted using CINAHL, ERIC, Medline, and Pub Med databases, and the search terms telehealth, telecare, telemedicine, school, and schools. Fifteen research studies related to telehealth in the school setting were identified. Themes identified included: benefits, barriers, feasibility, and limitations of telehealth. Implications for practice are presented, along with the potential of telehealth to integrate with the Affordable Care Act. School nurses who use telehealth can further meet the health needs of children in their care. The future of healthcare and school nursing is changing and telehealth is a tool that can improve care in an innovative and efficient way.

Description

The College of Nursing showcases some of our best evidence based scholarly papers from graduate students in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. The papers address relevant clinical problems for advance practice nurses and are based on the best evidence available. Using a systematic approach students critically analyze and synthesize the research studies to determine the strength of the evidence regarding the clinical problem. Based on the findings, recommendations are made for clinical practice. The papers are published in professional journals and presented at professional meetings.