College health centers: An update on medical issues.

College health centers are an important source of health care for large numbers of young adults throughout the country. With 16.9 million students enrolled in 2023 in post-secondary institutions in the United States, the potential impact that health centers at these institutions have is significant. Late adolescence and early adulthood is a particularly vulnerable stage of both cognitive and psychosocial development, and college health centers that provide comprehensive medical and mental-health care play an important role in providing comprehensive care for this age group. As we move into a post-pandemic era, colleges and universities across the country continue to navigate all the changes that have been brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is perhaps now more important than ever to review and assess the clinical care college health centers provide, who they provide this care to, and identify opportunities for improvement and where there may be need for change.

Reach, adoption, and maintenance of online acceptance and commitment therapy at a university: An implementation case study.

College students are undergoing a mental health crisis and existing clinical resources at universities may be inadequate to meet their needs. One solution to this problem could be the use of self-guided, online programs for mental health that can be easily distributed to students. A persistent issue, however, is the transition from program development to implementation of a self-guided program at campus-wide scale. We describe, in a self-narrative format, the steps taken to translate an online program we developed based in acceptance and commitment therapy, called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Guide, from a research context to a campus-wide service at our university. We also present demographic, previous treatment, and referral data of over 1,500 student sign-ups to describe the reach of our program, how it was adopted into existing university services and systems, and how we maintained the program long term. Findings from these implementation efforts are discussed in the context of suggestions for using self-guided programs for students to fill gaps in mental health service provision in university settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Provider perspectives on implementing a student health and counseling center intervention for sexual violence.

Objective: To describe provider experiences with implementation of the GIFTSS (Giving Information for Trauma Support and Safety) intervention. Participants: Health and counseling center staff from participating campuses attended trainings between August 2015 and August 2016. Interviews were conducted between May and August 2017. Methods: Providers (n = 230) completed surveys prior to and six months following a 3-hour training on the intervention. Structured phone interviews were conducted with a purposively selected subset of 14 providers. Results: Overall, staff found the intervention acceptable. Implementation barriers noted were time and competing patient priorities. Providers noted variation based on patient and visit characteristics. Clinic commitment, particularly in adopting strategies for universal dissemination of the GIFTSS card, was seen as helpful. Conclusion: Implementation of a brief trauma-informed intervention in campus health and counseling centers was feasible and acceptable to most providers. Opportunities to change organizational culture regarding ensuring adequate time and safety for patients are discussed.

Mental health interventions for college and university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A critical synthesis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to compare the emotional effects of COVID-19 among three different groups, namely: health personnel, medical students, and a sample of the general population. METHODS: 375 participants were recruited for this study, of which 125 were medical students (preclinical studies, 59; clinical studies, 66), 125 were health personnel (COVID-19 frontline personnel, 59; personnel not related with COVID-19, 66), and 125 belonged to the general population. The PHQ-9, GAD-7, and CPDI scales were used to assess the emotional impact. A multinomial logistic regression was performed to measure differences between groups, considering potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Regarding CPDI values, all other groups showed reduced values compared to COVID-19 frontline personnel. However, the general population, preclinical and clinical medical students showed increased PHQ-9 values compared to COVID-19 frontline personnel. Finally, confounding factors, gender and age correlated negatively with higher CPDI and PHQ-9 scores. CONCLUSIONS: Being frontline personnel is associated with increased COVID-19-related stress. Depression is associated, however, with other groups not directly involved with the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Female gender and younger age correlated with COVID-19-related depression and stress.

Showcasing Nursing Leadership and Contributions to a University's COVID-19 Student Contact Tracing Process.

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented event that impacted every segment of healthcare, including universities preparing healthcare professionals. Instituting processes to coordinate student return to campus and ongoing COVID-19 testing and contract tracing challenged university campuses, but also brought opportunities for collaboration. This article reports on the experiences of one nonprofit private higher education university in management of the COVID-19 testing and contact tracing that were led by school of nursing faculty and nursing leadership.

More Than Inconvenienced: The Unique Needs of U.S. College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

U.S. college students are a distinct population facing major challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, students were already experiencing substantial mental health concerns, putting both their health and academic success in jeopardy. College students now face increasing housing and food insecurity, financial hardships, a lack of social connectedness and sense of belonging, uncertainty about the future, and access issues that impede their academic performance and well-being. There is also reason to believe that COVID-19 is exacerbating inequalities for students of color and low-income students. We provide several recommendations for institutions of higher education to mitigate these obstacles, including engaging in data-driven decision making, delivering clear and informative messaging to students, prioritizing and expanding student support services, and using an equity framework to guide all processes.

Models of outpatient neuropalliative care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe some current models of outpatient neuropalliative care (NPC) available to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at different institutions within the United States. METHODS: Six NPC physicians were asked to contribute written descriptions about the PC available in their ALS clinics. Descriptions were then compiled and assessed for similarities and differences. RESULTS: All clinics are multidisciplinary, with regular appointments every 3 months and similar appointment times for new visits (60-120 minutes) and follow-up visits (20-45 minutes). Four clinics have an NPC specialist embedded within the ALS clinic, 1 institution has a separate clinic for NPC, and 1 institution has both. The NPC physician at 5 institutions is a neurologist with formal palliative care training and at 1 institution is an internist with formal palliative care training. NPC is part of routine care for all patients at 2 institutions, and the primary reasons for consultation are goals of care (GOC) and severe symptom management. CONCLUSION: NPC is provided to patients with ALS heterogeneously throughout the United States with some variation in services and delivery, but all clinics are addressing similar core needs. Given the poor prognosis and high PC needs, those with ALS are the ideal patients to receive NPC. Future studies are necessary given the paucity of data available to determine best practices and to better define meaningful outcomes.

Engaging male students with mental health support: a qualitative focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Males are less likely to seek help for mental health difficulties compared to females. Despite considerable interest, a paucity of evidence-based solutions exists to address this. Concerns about students' mental health has led to the United Kingdom's Department of Education to make this a priority. Studies have shown that male students hold more negative attitudes towards the use of psychological services compared to female students and are less likely to seek help. A major concern is that male students make up 69% of university suicides, which is often associated with lower rates of help-seeking. This focus group study therefore sought to identify potential approaches that would be relevant to improving mental health help-seeking in male students. METHODS: Three focus groups comprising of 24 male students at a London University were conducted. Participants were asked questions exploring: the barriers to seeking help, what would encourage help-seeking, how an appropriate intervention should be designed, and how to publicise this intervention to male students. Thematic analysis was conducted to evaluate participants responses. RESULTS: Five distinct themes were identified. These were: 1) protecting male vulnerability, 2) providing a masculine narrative of help-seeking, 3) differences over intervention format, 4) difficulty knowing when and how to seek help, and 5) strategies to sensitively engage male students. CONCLUSIONS: These themes represent important considerations that can be used, together with the existing literature about male help-seeking, to develop more male friendly interventions that are suitable for male students. This could help improve help-seeking attitudes and the uptake of mental health interventions for male students experiencing emotional distress.

Evaluación de los hábitos de alimentación y actividad física en escolares gallegos / Evaluation of food habits and physical activity in Galician students

Introducción: la obesidad causa millones de muertes anuales. Su elevada prevalencia en niños y adolescentes de países del sur de Europa, entre ellos España, se asocia con las nuevas preferencias alimentarias y la disminución de actividad física. Objetivos: evaluar la calidad de la dieta y la práctica de actividad física en escolares gallegos para valorar la necesidad de modificar las estrategias actuales de intervención en estilos de vida. Métodos: se estudiaron 662 niños de Galicia (9-17 años). Se calculó su índice de masa corporal (IMC) como indicador de adiposidad. El patrón alimentario se evaluó con el cuestionario Kidmed y la actividad física con el PAQ-C. Se estratificó la muestra en función del IMC de acuerdo con los estándares internacionales de Cole. Los datos se analizan con el paquete SPSS. Resultados: el 56% de los escolares están en riesgo elevado de malnutrición por exceso o necesitan mejorar su alimentación. La adherencia media al patrón alimentario mediterráneo fue baja (7,64 ± 2,28), empeorando significativamente con la edad y la adiposidad. El nivel de actividad física medio fue moderado (3,02 ± 0,74), significativamente menor en niñas y adolescentes. El 58% mostraron un nivel bajo-moderado de actividad física. La calidad de la dieta se correlacionó positivamente con la actividad física y negativamente con el IMC. Conclusiones: los escolares gallegos presentaron un patrón alimentario y de actividad física de riesgo en relación con las recomendaciones nacionales/internacionales. Tras varios años de campañas de concienciación e intervenciones sobre estilos de vida, continúa siendo necesario mejorar la dieta y aumentar la práctica física-deportiva

Introduction: obesity causes millions of deaths each year. Its high prevalence in children and adolescents from southern European countries, including Spain, is associated with the new food preferences and decreased physical activity. Objectives: to evaluate diet quality and physical activity in Galician schoolchildren in order to assess if modifying the current intervention strategies in lifestyles is required. Methods: in the present study, 662 students from the south of Galicia were studied (9-17 years). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as adiposity indicator. The dietary pattern was evaluated through the Kidmed test and physical activity with PAQ-C. The sample was stratified by BMI according to Cole international standards. Data were analysed with the SPPS software. Results: fifty-six per cent of children are at high risk of overnutrition or need to improve their nutrition. The average adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low (7.64 ± 2.28), worsening with age and adiposity significantly. The average level of physical activity was moderate (3.02 ± 0.74) and it was lower in girls and adolescents; 58 % showed a low-moderate level of physical activity. Quality diet was positively correlated with physical activity and negatively with BMI. Conclusions: Galician students showed a diet and physical activity risky pattern according to international/national recommendations. After several years of awareness campaigns and lifestyle interventions, improving their diet and increasing physical activity is still necessary

Engaging Stakeholders in the Healthy Campus Movement.

BACKGROUND: Institutions of higher education are increasingly attending to the health of their campus community. This article reports on a Healthy Campus Initiative (HCI) to build a culture of health. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the applicability of the four action areas of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Framework to campus health and discuss challenges and lessons learned. METHODS: Observational, qualitative, and quantitative data were collected to describe partnership development, key stakeholder engagement, and stakeholder perceptions of healthy campus activity between 2016 and fall 2018. RESULTS: This initiative aligned with 3 of the four action areas of the Culture of Health Framework by making campus health as a shared value, fostering campus and local community collaborations, and creating a healthier and more equitable campus community. CONCLUSIONS: For institutions of higher education, the Culture of Health Framework is ideal to engage stakeholders to take action to create and build cultures of health.

Close quarters: Counseling aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear.

The mental health practice setting of the maritime training cruise provides an uncommon combination of opportunities and challenges from college and maritime military counseling. This article addresses the opportunities available in a clinical role that allows the clinician to be an active member of the community they serve and promote mental health among the next generation of maritime workers. The challenges addressed include promoting mental health in a setting in which emotional expression and mental health treatment are stigmatized, accompanied by disincentives for help-seeking behavior, as well as the potential risks of multiple relationships and limited confidentiality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making through college student interviews.

Objective: We aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about vaccines required for college-entry and vaccine-related behaviors among college students. Participants: Thirty-three full-time undergraduate students, ≥ 18 years old, enrolled at public (2) and private (3) colleges and universities in metropolitan Philadelphia in fall 2016. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews, which were double-coded with 5,015 comments overall and 99.3% intercoder reliability (κ = 0.779) using NVivo 11 software. Results: Six key themes emerged: (1) low knowledge about vaccines and requirements; (2) mixed attitudes about required vs. recommended vaccines; (3) high trust in medical professionals; (4) low perceived risk for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks; (5) substantial parental influence on students' decision-making; and (6) low utilization of Student Health Services. Conclusions: This study revealed lack of knowledge about and low prioritization of vaccination despite overall positive attitudes towards vaccines. Prematriculation education of college students is critical to increasing vaccine knowledge and use.

Essential Partners for Student Health and Safety: Round Table Discussion With School Nurses and School Resource Officers.

This article explores the partnership between school nurses and school resource officers. Through an interviewing process, the authors summarize current examples of how the partnership is essential and effective in 21st-century schools across the United States.

Implementation of a Mental Health Task Force in a collegiate-based emergency medical services organization.

Objective: A Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) was implemented in 2016 by a collegiate-based emergency medical services (CBEMS) organization to (1) improve mental health emergency response and to (2) address concerns for the mental health of CBEMS providers. Participants: Skidmore College EMS is a Basic Life Support First Response service staffed by volunteer undergraduate students. Methods: In coordination with faculty and staff, students in the MHTF developed trainings, peer support structures, community events, policies, and informational resources. Results: Sixteen students joined the MHTF within 1 year. Over 35 Skidmore College EMS members received training on mental health emergency response, peer-support, and self-care. Debriefing programs, mindfulness-based events, shift-length limitations, and access to informational resources promoted the mental health of Skidmore College EMS members. Conclusions: Implementing an MHTF is an innovative, student-led approach to coupling education on emergency response with programming that supports the mental health of CBEMS providers.

Implementation of an intimate partner violence screening program in a university health care clinic.

Objectives: To examine whether an intimate partner violence (IPV) screening program is related to a positive change in health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening. Participants: Eleven health care providers at a university health care clinic participated in the IPV screening program. Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest design was used to examine whether an IPV screening program was related to a change in health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening. Results: Findings indicated that there was a significant difference (p < 000) between the posttest scores and the pretest scores on the Domestic Violence Healthcare Provider Survey Scale. Domain analysis of the scale revealed a significant difference in perceived self-efficacy (p = .001), system support (p = <.002), victim provider safety (p = .015), and beliefs of blaming victims (p = <.004). No statistical difference was found in professional role resistance/fear of offending (p = .158). Conclusions: A university health care clinic IPV screening program was related to a positive change in health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening.

Intervenciones para la salud mental de estudiantes universitarios durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Síntesis rápida. / Mental health interventions for college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rapid Synthesis

En esta síntesis se consideran las siguientes cuatro acciones concretas: 1. Lineamientos generales en salud mental de universitarios. 2. Promoción y prevención en salud mental. 3. Atención de síntomas mentales. 4. Adaptaciones pedagógicas con énfasis en salud mental. En general, se encontró que la sugerencia más frecuente es el diseño de un programa estructurado específico para el tema de salud mental en las universidades. En este programa se integran todas las demás acciones por lo que los desarrolladores de estas propuestas sugieren que sea diseñado por un grupo multidisciplinario de profesionales en salud mental, pedagogos y personal administrativo. Además, debe ser incluyente en el sentido de que incorpore siempre la visión de los mismos estudiantes (36). Debe ser dinámico de manera que se ajuste y actualice según se vaya monitoreando las necesidades y barreras emergentes; y, finalmente, este programa ser sensible a la cultura, pues las estrategias de afrontamiento pueden ser distintas (20) de ahí que cada universidad debe diseñarlo pensando en sus particularidades.

On-Campus Clinics in Allied Health Education: Necessity or Legacy?

On-campus clinics have been a pillar of graduate education in allied health programs for decades. However, traditional clinical education is under scrutiny due to budget cuts, reimbursement rates, and supervision requirements. Some universities opening new programs have opted out of building on-campus clinics. The purpose of this multisite qualitative case study was to examine an alternative model of clinical education. Four graduate programs were selected that did not have an on-campus clinic and were not affiliated with a medical school. Four main themes emerged: authentic experiences, professional networking, collaborative partnerships, and responsiveness. The findings suggested on-campus clinics are not necessary for providing clinical education. The participants suggested more programs should consider this alternative model of clinical education to expose students to authentic and diverse clinical experiences throughout their graduate education.