Abstract
BackgroundTo limit students’ medical absenteeism and premature school dropout in the Netherlands, the Medical Advice for Sick-reported Students (MASS) intervention was developed to enhance collaboration between students, parents, school, and health care professionals. MASS reduces medical absenteeism. However, it does not yet optimally support professionals in monitoring students nor automatically stimulating students’ autonomy regarding their situation.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify professionals’ and students’ perceived need for an online supportive application to monitor and reduce absenteeism and stimulate student autonomy and school reintegration.MethodsConcept mapping sessions were held with professionals (n=23) and secondary school students (n=27) in group meetings or online to identify their perspectives and needs. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering were done with Ariadne 3.0 software. The resulting concept maps were reclustered and interpreted by 4 researchers.ResultsThree heterogeneous groups of professionals generated 17 clusters (135 unique statements), with a mean importance rating ranging from 2.9 to 4.6 on a Likert scale with scores ranging from 1 to 5. Three heterogeneous groups of secondary school students generated 18 clusters (95 unique statements), with a mean importance rating ranging from 3.2 to 4.6. Professionals considered as most important the following: easily accessible contact with students; supporting, motivating, and rewarding students; monitoring absent students; providing information to students and their parents; exchanging information between professionals. Students considered as most important the following: better teacher-student communication and respect; communication between school professionals on the one hand and parents, other professionals, and students on the other hand; guidance in missed learning materials and tests. Students perceived an online format for support as the obvious option.ConclusionsBoth professionals and students were positive about an online application to support students in dealing with medical absenteeism, especially considering the need for better and easily accessible contact between students and professionals. An eHealth or mobile health (mHealth) application addressing these aspects could stimulate student autonomy and have positive effects on medical absenteeism.
Highlights
School absenteeism is a serious problem in many countries worldwide [1,2,3], including the Netherlands
Students perceived an online format for support as the obvious option
Both professionals and students were positive about an online application to support students in dealing with medical absenteeism, especially considering the need for better and accessible contact between students and professionals
Summary
School absenteeism is a serious problem in many countries worldwide [1,2,3], including the Netherlands. For example, in the United States, at least 13% of all students (5-18 years old) are chronically absent from school, involving both excused and unexcused absences as well as suspensions. Recent numbers show that at least 5% of all students aged 5 to 18 years old is problematically absent from school [5,6]. This only involves unexcused absences and not absences because of illness or problems. To limit students’ medical absenteeism and premature school dropout in the Netherlands, the Medical Advice for Sick-reported Students (MASS) intervention was developed to enhance collaboration between students, parents, school, and health care professionals. It does not yet optimally support professionals in monitoring students nor automatically stimulating students’ autonomy regarding their situation
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