A survey of the results of medical referrals at Fresno High School

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of positive response to medical referrals made for evaluation and treatment of health problems observed by a high school nurse in the Fresno (California) City Unified School District, Health problems which were referred for medical treatment were the result of health appraisals made by the nurse or conferences with students, teachers, or parents. Students referred for possible difficulty in vision or hearing were identified through the screening tests mandated by the state. Students also were referred because of injury due to accidents. Educational authorities agree that an adequate health appraisal and health counseling program are an important responsibility of the school. The health screenings would have little value without the retesting and referral aspects of the endeavor. Early detection and treatment of health deviations have been found to be important to effect the greatest degree of recovery or correction.