A student is at school and comes down with an earache. Does that warrant a call to the parents to check their child out and take them home?

Not necessarily.

With parental consent, if your child attends one of the 17 schools running a new program in the Weber School District, they can go to the nurse’s station and receive telehealth care through Intermountain Health’s Connect Care.

The new School Based Telehealth Program, launched in August, was developed to provide medical care to students who may be able to be treated on campus and get right back to the classroom.

The program was created to address three primary objectives: health equity and increased health care access for pre-K through 12th grade, reduced absenteeism and increased funding for health care professionals in schools.

“Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue affecting student performance and long-term outcomes,” said Shelly Cooper, a registered nurse and pediatric telehealth operations manager. “Twenty-seven percent of Utah students are chronically absent, while 37% of students living in poverty are chronically absent.”

Cooper said the SBTH program aims to help students stay in school by addressing health issues promptly, reducing the need for extended absences due to illness. The original pilot program in Wasatch County School District showed great results in reducing absenteeism, she said. This led to more consistent attendance and better educational outcomes. Additionally, teachers can maintain classroom continuity with fewer disruptions due to student absences, creating a more stable and productive learning environment.

“The SBTH program not only improves health outcomes for students but also creates a supportive environment that enhances educational achievement and financial stability for schools,” Cooper said.

The program aims to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all students. By integrating telehealth services within schools, the program removes barriers to health care access, providing essential primary and specialty care directly to students, Cooper said.

“Students receive timely and appropriate care, giving parents and guardians peace of mind knowing their children have access to quality healthcare at school,” she said. “Parents also no longer need to take time off work to take their children to medical appointments, reducing lost wages and travel expenses.”

Additionally, Cooper said telehealth visits are significantly less expensive than emergency department visits, saving families money and reducing overall health care costs.

“In Utah, of the top 25 pediatric emergency department visits, telehealth services can see 16 of those health conditions,” Cooper said. “Expanding the SBTH program will necessitate additional health care professionals to manage and support the telehealth services, ultimately enhancing the overall health support infrastructure within schools.”

So, how exactly does the process work? Cooper said if a student is feeling ill they can go to the health office where a registered nurse will assess and evaluate them. If the student needs a telehealth visit, the parent is contacted for consent. If approved by the parent, the telehealth visit will be initiated. The health care provider is able to visualize the eardrum, inside the throat, skin or eye conditions and hear breath, stomach and heart sounds with the telehealth technology provided by the school district. The health care provider can diagnose and treat the student during the call and phone in a prescription if necessary.

“Parents are invited and encouraged to join a telehealth visit,” Cooper said. “A written consent is required annually and verbal consent is required prior to each telehealth visit. It is very important to note the SBTH program is an opt-in program and parental consent is absolutely required.”

Cooper said if the student is found to be contagious, they are sent home. However, treatment can begin sooner which may cut down on time away from school.

“We always encourage parents to keep their child home if they are experiencing higher grade fever, vomiting or are contagious in any way,” she said. “Sometimes students start experiencing symptoms during school hours and it’s helpful to have the resources to see a health care provider in school to determine if the student should stay in school or go home.”

The program accepts multiple private insurances, Medicaid, and if they are unable to pay the $69 fee, financial assistance is available.

“Our desire is to expand the SBTH program to whatever school district, charter or private school that would like this service,” Cooper said. “We have found that this program is helpful and beneficial to schools in both urban and rural areas.”

Any school interested in learning more can contact Cooper at shelly.m.cooper@imail.org.