School‐Based Health Centers as the Pediatric Expanded Medical Home

摘要

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND School‐based health centers (SBHCs) provide primary and preventive health services and have been debated as possible medical homes for the pediatric population. The effect of a SBHC as an expanded medical home has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper was to review the research evaluating the use of SBHCs as a pediatric patient's expanded medical home. METHODS The databases PubMed and CINAHL were searched for research articles pertaining to the value of using a SBHC as a pediatric medical home. RESULTS SBHCs provide care that is accessible, coordinated, comprehensive, continuous, family‐centered, compassionate, and mildly culturally effective for adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Community health systems and primary care providers should partner with SBHCs to establish an expanded medical home and promote greater coordination and continuity of care for adolescents.