Quality assurance in school nursing: Improving care for children with chronic health conditions and analysing routine data on school accidents (PrimSN)
Project period: 2025–2026
Background
School nurses play an important role in caring for children with chronic health conditions. Findings from the scientific evaluation of school nursing in Rhineland-Palatinate (PDF, 1.1 MB; final report in German) suggest that early identification of health needs and targeted support within the school setting may improve pupils’ health and participation in school activities, including after-school programmes. Further improvements in coordinated care require closer cross-sector collaboration between school nurses, school principals, teachers, paediatricians, healthcare professionals in outpatient specialist services, and social paediatric centres.
In 2024, 257,215 accidents were recorded in primary schools. As school nurses are present throughout the school day, they can provide immediate care following school accidents. Findings from the scientific evaluation provided initial evidence of their potential contribution to accident management. Routine data from the Accident Insurance Fund in Rhineland-Palatinate provide an opportunity to further investigate the effects of school nursing on the occurrence and management of school accidents.
Objectives
The project pursues two main objectives:
- to improve care for children with chronic health conditions in primary schools by strengthening collaboration between school nurses and healthcare providers beyond the school setting (WP 1), and
- to evaluate the effects of school nursing on the management of school accidents (WP 2).
Study design and methods
In WP 1, we will explore cross-sectoral collaboration through focus group interviews with school nurses, school principals, teachers, parents and paediatricians. Together with findings from the previous scientific evaluation and a comprehensive literature review, the results will inform the development of a detailed concept for cross-sectoral care of children with chronic health conditions. The concept will subsequently be validated in a workshop with relevant stakeholders, including school nurses, teachers and paediatricians, and piloted in selected project schools.
For WP 2, the Accident Insurance Fund in Rhineland-Palatinate will provide anonymised routine data covering all school accidents of primary school pupils in Rhineland-Palatinate. These data will be used to evaluate the effects of school nursing on the management of school accidents, including changes in accident type and severity. The findings will be analysed and interpreted in collaboration with the Accident Insurance Fund.
Funding
Ministry of Education of Rhineland-Palatinate
Contact details
Jana Fischer, M.Sc. (research associate)
Simone Kadel, M.Sc. (research associate)
Maja Lenk, M.Sc. (research associate)
Dr. med. Michael Eichinger (principal investigator)
Email: sgf@uni-mainz.de