title: A Qualitative Evaluation of Elev8 New Mexico School-Based Health Centers.
abstract: There is a scarcity of qualitative studies on school-based health centers (SBHCs). We established two primary aims for this study: (a) to assess stakeholders' perceptions of Elev8 New Mexico SBHCs' functionality and (b) to provide a snapshot of the overall contribution of the program to the schools and communities they serve. We collected the data through observations and semistructured interviews. We identified issues that diminish the functionality of SBHCs, such as limited infrastructure and services, lack of cooperation between school personnel and health care providers, and lack of long-term financial sustainability. These structural, interpersonal, and logistical issues limited the contribution of the SBHCs to the health of the students and the community at large. However, Elev8 New Mexico SBHCs serve communities with considerable education and health needs and constitute a unique opportunity to provide health education, disease prevention, and quality health care to a large number of youth and adults.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soto Mas
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sussman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054525:Minority Health; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012572:School Health Services; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent health; minority youth; school-based health care