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Cited by 11School Health and Nursing EducationYouth Substance Use and School AttendanceWorkplace Health and Well-being

The perceptions of different professionals on school absenteeism and the role of school health care: A focus group study conducted in Finland.

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Melander, Katja, Kortteisto, Tiina, Hermanson, Elina, Kaltiala, Riittakerttu, Mäki-Kokkila, Katariina, Kaila, Minna, Kosola, Silja·2022·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0264259PMC PMC8884500
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Abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: School absenteeism and school dropout jeopardize the future health and wellbeing of students. Reports on the participation of school health care in absenteeism reduction are infrequent, although physical and mental health problems are the most common causes of school absenteeism. Our aim was to explore what reasons different professionals working in schools recognize for absenteeism and which factors either promote or inhibit the inclusion of school health care in absenteeism reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for this qualitative study was gathered from ten focus groups conducted in two municipalities in southern Finland. The groups included (vice) principals, special education/resource/subject teachers, guidance counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, school doctors, and social workers working in child protective services. Data analysis was predominantly inductive but the categorization of our results was based on existing literature. RESULTS: Study participants identified student-, family-, and school-related reasons for absenteeism but societal reasons went unmentioned. A number of reasons promoting the inclusion of school health care in absenteeism reduction arose, such as expertise in health-related issues and the confidentiality associated with health care. Inclusion of school health care was hindered by differences in work culture and differing perceptions regarding the aims of school health care. CONCLUSION: Professionals working in schools were knowledgeable about the different causes of school absenteeism. Clarifying both the aims of school health care and the work culture of different professionals could facilitate the inclusion of school health care in absenteeism reduction.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Melander, K., Kortteisto, T., Hermanson, E., Kaltiala, R., Mäki-Kokkila, K., Kaila, M., & Kosola, S.
Affiliations
  • University of Helsinki (FI)
  • Tampere University Hospital (FI)
Corresponding author
Melander, Katja
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2022-02-28
Volume
17
Issue
2
Pages
e0264259
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0264259
PMC
PMC8884500
OpenAlex
W4214603562
Cited by
11
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1
FWCI
2.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja (submittedVersion)
  • Tampere University Institutional Repository (Tampere University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Niilo Helander Foundatio
  • Suomen Kulttuurirahasto
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
  • Social Sciences › Education › Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Workplace Health and Well-being
Keywords
school absenteeism, school health services, school dropout, school nurses, school psychologists, school social workers, guidance counselors, organizational culture, confidentiality, student health problems, family factors
MeSH terms
Absenteeism, Educational Personnel, Adolescent, Child, Delivery of Health Care, Female, Finland, Humans, Male, School Nursing, Schools

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