Implementing a School‐Based Health Center Virtual Care Program: A Qualitative Exploration of the School Nurse Perspective.

BACKGROUND: School‐based health centers (SBHCs) have the capability to overcome youth barriers to care. Virtual care programs (VCP) facilitate connection between school nurse and off‐site SBHC providers and can increase the reach of SBHCs. This project aimed to examine Denver Public School nurses' perspectives of a pilot VCP. METHODS: Thirteen semi‐structured qualitative interviews were conducted and coded using an inductive approach to identify key themes. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged: (1) obtaining consent, finding space, and capacity are challenges and nurses have suggestions; (2) nurses enjoy feeling like a valued member of a health care team, and providing additional resources to students; (3) nurses perceive benefits in providing free, efficient, higher level of care; (4) adopting novel technology is a facilitator and challenge; limitations included space and privacy. CONCLUSIONS: Key findings can be utilized to further inform practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]