“Here I Don’t Feel Like a Stranger”: Adolescents’ Perspectives on School-Based Health Centers

Abstract

This study explored adolescent perspectives on school-based health center (SBHC) services and how services differed from school nurses and community agencies. Six focus groups were conducted with adolescents, 13–19 years old, as part of a larger mixed-methods study. Data were analyzed for themes using content analysis. Adolescents ( N = 30) described the accessibility, positive attitude of staff, competence of the nurse practitioner, confidentiality/privacy, and trusted relationships with staff as important aspects of SBHC care. SBHC services allowed adolescents to stay in school, provided confidentiality/privacy, were comfortable and convenient, fostered their independence, and adolescents felt SBHC staff knew them and they did not feel like strangers. SBHCs are adolescent-friendly resources that maximize school time and an important source for contraception, sexually transmitted infection testing, and mental health care. Additionally, SBHC services help support adolescents’ transition from pediatric to adolescent-focused care and foster their growing self-awareness and empowerment related to their engagement in health care services.