Health relay students’ goals, training and assessment: result from a French national consensus

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Abstract Issue Health relay students (HRS) is one of the prevention policy rapidly increasing for the French students. It is mainly based on peer effects, peer to peer communication, but the state of play show very various practices. Description of the problem The variety of practices may imply heterogeneity, and actions that are too disparate. In October 2016, the national association of directors of Health Services for Students (SSU) decided to make a formal consensus process (based on single scripting strategies developed in parallel by 10 to 20 people) involving 61 persons (physician, nurses, prevention officer, members of prevention associations) from 29 French universities and based on three axes: goals; training and assessment. Results No disagreement was left. The goals must be validated by the SSU, as it is the unit that is able to link students ’associations wishes and health policy objectives. This need a constant dialogue with the university board, students associations, local authorities and health administration. The HRS are also important to help to know the students practices, notably thanks to their presence on social networks. Institutional policies for HRS must be consistent to the goals, and HRS must be managed by specific prevention officers. Training always associate health education topics and health prevention knowledge. It may be more or less intensive according to the goals, but need the help of association of health prevention and a validation by the SSU. HRS must be diverse, in genders and type of studies. The training must encourage HRS autonomy and creativity in their actions, while accepting to respect the University health policy. Creativity means also to open any way of communication wanted by HRS, such as social networks. Assessment is based on lean management, HRS satisfaction and University satisfaction (institution as well as teachers, administrative workers and students). HRS empowerment is perhaps the main criteria of assessment. Key messages Health relay students policies are very varied and need a consensual framework under the control of health services for students. Training must associate health education and prevention objectives, develop students’ empowerment.