4. Results
What is being assessed in the health check?
Eleven studies focused on a single aspect of health. Four of these studies
focused solely on aspects of emotional health and wellbeing (Cowen, 1997;
Puskar et al., 1996; Supple et al., 1999; Vander Stoep et al., 2005). Other studies
focused on particular health behaviours, including sexual health (Paperny, 1997),
physical activity and nutrition (Patrick et al., 2001; 2006).
Studies evaluated two main types of intervention relevant to the proposed life
check: the first were regular and/or annual health checks conducted within
existing services (for example, sports pre-participation examinations and annual
‘well’ visits and preventive health checks in the USA) and the second were one-off
health and wellbeing consultations in schools and primary-care settings.
What is offered to the young person after assessment?
Of the 34 health checks reported in the outcome evaluations, information about
what was offered to the young person following the health check was available for
20 studies. In the majority of studies, young people were offered tailored advice.
Further details are available in Table 4.2. In many cases, more than one option
was offered so the total in Table 4.2 adds up to 46 rather than 34.
Table 4.2: What is offered following health assessment (N=46) for outcome
evaluations (N = 34, not mutually exclusive)
|
_____N_ | |
|
Tailored advice |
12 |
|
Individual health plans / guides |
7 |
|
Referral into health system (e.g. family doctor) |
8 |
|
Referral within school (e.g. school counsellor) |
2 |
|
Resource access |
3 |
|
Not stated / unclear |
14 |
|
Total |
46 |
Who provides the assessment?
In the 34 outcome evaluations, most health-check providers were health
professionals (N=20). Ten of the health checks involved an element of self-
assessment. For the remainder, it was unclear who provided the intervention. The
identity of the health professional was not stated in seven of the studies. Seven of
the interventions were provided by nurses (school and primary practice), two by
doctors, and the remainder by a range of other health-care providers, including
paediatricians and dentists.
Where is the health check provided?
The majority of the health checks reported in the 34 outcome evaluations were
provided in education settings (N=15). Eleven were provided in health-care
settings and four were provided in the home. For the remaining studies, it was
unclear where the intervention was provided.
A scoping review of the evidence relevant to life checks for young people aged 9 to 14 years
17