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Counseling Across Cultures

Counseling Across Cultures:

Helping International Students Find Their Way

There are over 1 million international students studying in the U.S., and they face unique challenges when it comes to living and studying abroad. From dealing with homesickness and social isolation to knowing when and how to seek help, these barriers can significantly impact a student’s overall well-being and academic success. To overcome these challenges, it’s essential for international students to have access to counseling services specifically tailored to their needs.

In this blog, we’ll be covering:

  • Dealing With Homesickness & Isolation
  • Providing Access to High-Quality Counseling
  • Building a Support System for International Students

Dealing with Homesickness and Social Isolation

One of the most common struggles that international students face is homesickness. A survey from HSBC found that 74% of international students say it’s the sounds of home they miss the most. Being away from family and friends, adjusting to a new culture and language, and feeling isolated can take a toll on their mental health. Counseling services play a crucial role in helping students navigate these emotions and provide a safe space for them to express their thoughts and concerns.

College counseling centers provide a safe and confidential space for students to express their emotions and work through their feelings of homesickness or loneliness. Through active listening and empathy, counselors can help students explore the root causes of their emotions and develop coping strategies to manage them.

In addition to individual counseling, group therapy can also be beneficial for international students. Support groups specifically tailored for international students can create a sense of community and understanding. Sharing experiences and emotions with others who are going through similar challenges can provide a sense of validation and comfort. Group therapy sessions can also provide practical tips and advice on how to cope with adjusting to studying abroad, such as maintaining regular communication with loved ones back home or engaging in activities that provide a sense of familiarity.

Furthermore, counseling services can collaborate with other campus organizations to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for international students. By working together with student clubs, academic departments, and residence life staff, counseling services can ensure that international students have access to a wide range of resources and support systems. This collaborative approach can help address the multifaceted challenges of homesickness and social isolation.

Providing Access to High-Quality Counseling

Seeking help can be an intimidating task for international students, especially if they are unfamiliar with the available resources or hesitant to reach out due to cultural differences. For instance, a study by the Journal of American College Health found that only 33% of international students considered using mental health services versus 56% of domestic students. Counseling services need to actively promote awareness and educate students about the importance of seeking help when needed.

One effective approach is to provide workshops or orientation sessions at the beginning of the academic year, where international students can learn about the counseling services offered on campus. By equipping students with information about the counseling process, insurance/billing, and debunking any misconceptions, they can feel more empowered to seek help when necessary.

In addition to workshops, counseling services can also collaborate with international student organizations to host events that focus on mental health and well-being. These events can include guest speakers, panel discussions, and interactive activities that encourage open conversations about seeking help. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, international students will feel more comfortable reaching out for assistance.

Furthermore, it’s also crucial for counseling services to have a visible and easily accessible presence on campus. This can be achieved by setting up counseling booths during orientation events, international student fairs, and other campus-wide activities. By being present in these settings, counselors can engage with international students, answer their questions, and provide them with the necessary information to seek help when required.

Overall, it’s essential for counseling services to take proactive measures to educate and empower international students to seek help when needed. By providing workshops, collaborating with student organizations, offering informational materials in multiple languages, and having a visible presence on campus, counseling services can ensure that international students have the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.

Building a Support System for International Students

In addition to counseling services, colleges and universities have a responsibility to offer comprehensive support to international students. This includes cultural orientation programs, language assistance, academic tutoring, and career counseling tailored to the unique needs of international students.

Monica Thiagarajan, liaison for the international students at the Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas-Austin, provides several tips for how counseling centers can better serve international students. This is what she suggests:

  • Hire a designated psychologist to serve as a liaison for international students
  • Partner with different academic departments
  • Provide mental health services in languages that international students are most comfortable using
  • Collaborate with medical staff to integrate mental health treatment with primary care
  • Offer virtual care for students who may not be comfortable requesting in-person services

Colleges should also create a welcoming and inclusive campus environment by organizing cultural events, promoting diversity awareness, and providing spaces for international students to connect with their peers. By fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion, colleges can help international students thrive both academically and personally.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, counseling services tailored to the needs of international students are essential in overcoming cultural barriers. By addressing homesickness, social isolation, and providing support in seeking help, counseling services play a crucial role in ensuring the success of these students. Additionally, creating a support system at the institutional level is vital in helping international students navigate the challenges of studying abroad through their academic journey and beyond.

Learn how you can help your counseling center run more efficiently and better support your students.

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Benefits of Patient Portals

Your Ultimate Guide to Unlocking the Benefits of Patient Portals

Interview with Bethany Baughman, RN BSN CPN, and at Medicat.

Is your school considering switching to an EHR and wanting to learn more about how the Patient Portal would work? Or are you a current client looking for some more tips and tricks on best utilizing the Patient Portal? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

One of our amazing Customer Onboarding Specialist Bethany Baughman, has helped over 70 schools implement the Patient Portal. She’s even implemented Medicat from the college perspective, during her tenure as a nurse at the University of Tulsa’s Health Center. Continue reading to become a Patient Portal expert!

1. In simple terms, how would you describe the Patient Portal?

The Patient Portal is an online tool that allows students to log in and:

  • Securely communicate with their provider(s)
  • Enter immunization records and view their compliance status
  • Schedule appointments across multiple clinics
  • Upload documentation to their record
  • Complete any required forms

2. Does the Patient Portal integrate with most Student Information Systems?

Yes, the portal does integrate with most SIS systems. This is especially helpful when it comes to billing student accounts. Plus, we’re able to create student profiles in the Patient Portal based on information imported from the SIS (Demographic Feed). We work with the school to set this up as soon as the onboarding process begins.

3. What features of the portal do you think are most helpful?

  • Self-scheduling based on clinic parameters:I think this is an underutilized functionality because the clinics we work with are not used to exposing their calendars to their campus population.  However, there are a lot of opportunities to put controls in place so that self-scheduling works for your particular clinic and/or campus. College students are already using apps and websites to schedule appointments these days, so they really do enjoy having the option to schedule an appointment online. 
  • Utilizing secure messaging:I love that Medicat keeps a record of the provider-student interaction in the chart. It saves the step of copying and pasting emails into a patient record. Plus, it keeps communications private, since email is not a secure or HIPAA-compliant mode of communication.
  • Simplified prescription refills: Prescription refill forms can be completed on the portal and sent directly to providers for review. I love this feature, not just for prescription refills, but also for Request for Services for Access/Disability Services Clinics and This really can remove barriers to services. 
  • Sending educational resources to students post-visit: I used this feature a lot in my clinic when I was working as a nurse. I created educational handouts for all sorts of things, then added them to a note so they’re available for the student to view on the portal at any time. Rather than giving students paper handouts that get left on the counter in an exam room, or shoved at the bottom of their backpacks, students can simply use their phones to access relevant educational resources on the portal.

4. Do you have specific tips for helping a Student Health Clinic maximize the power of the Patient Portal?

Of course! One of my favorite tips is using the portal to collect subjective data related to the patient’s issue prior to the appointment with appointment-specific forms. This better prepares providers for the appointment and helps save time!

5. Any specific tips for Counseling Centers?

Be open-minded about the features that are available. You can start small and add on to the features you utilize as you become more comfortable with the system and its options.

6. What about tips for Immunization Compliance?

I’ve had clients make videos to walk students through the process of submitting their Immunization Records. This can help reduce the amount of cleanup that needs to be done for student records with duplicate entries, etc. Check out this awesome tutorial a student from Eastern University created to show other students how to use their school’s Patient Portal.

Bethany’s Advice for ALL Clinics: The more you reference the portal and send students to the portal, the more they will utilize it! It can be as simple as being firm on not accepting any documents or appointments that are not submitted via the portal.

7. What efficiency or productivity gains have you seen from a clinic implementing the Patient Portal?

So much time is saved by allowing your students to self-schedule appointments, submit their immunization records, and upload supporting documentation via the portal. This allows clinic staff to spend more time listening to a student’s concerns, planning outreach events, and analyzing clinic-wide reports. In other words, your clinic will have the space and time to grow, rather than just trying to make it through each day on schedule.

8. Is there a feature you feel is underused that more clients would benefit from?

  1. Self-Scheduling: There are so many controls around self-scheduling, but many people don’t want to feel like they’re “losing control” of their schedules. I think that the campus populations are pretty tech-savvy and can navigate more than we think.
  2. Subjective data collection prior to the appointment: This is a powerful way to gather information ahead of the appointment so that providers are better prepared for the appointment. Plus, the clinic tends to run more efficiently.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, the Patient Portal stands at the forefront of healthcare’s digital revolution, offering a myriad of benefits for both students and providers. The portal has transformed the way patients access and interact with medical information, fostering greater transparency, convenience, and engagement. From secure messaging, self-scheduling, and simplified prescription refills, the Patient Portal can make a significant impact on your clinic’s workflow.

Interested in helping your clinic save time on tedious tasks? Connect with our team today to learn more.

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ePrescribing Revolution

How Technology Is Transforming Medication Safety for College Students

In recent years, the healthcare industry has witnessed a remarkable shift towards digital solutions. An innovative tool that has gained prominence is ePrescribing. The growing reliance on technology has prompted healthcare professionals to explore its potential to enhance medication safety and convenience for college students. This article aims to shed light on the significance of ePrescribing and its role in safeguarding the health of college students through effective medication management.

The Digital Prescription Revolution: What is ePrescribing?

ePrescribing, also known as electronic prescribing, refers to the process of electronically generating and transmitting prescriptions. Unlike traditional paper-based prescriptions, ePrescribing employs secure digital platforms to streamline the prescribing process. This modern approach provides numerous advantages, especially in the context of student health.

Some of these benefits include:

1. Reduced medication errors
Illegible handwriting and misinterpretation of paper prescriptions can lead to severe consequences. ePrescribing minimizes the risk of human error in deciphering doctors’ handwriting, thus ensuring that students receive the correct medication and dosage.
2. Convenience
In addition to reducing medication errors, ePrescribing also offers convenience. Students can easily request prescription refills online, eliminating the need for in-person visits to the doctor’s office or pharmacy. This is particularly beneficial for students who may have limited transportation options or busy schedules.
3. Improved clinic operations
ePrescribing can improve the between healthcare providers. When a student visits a specialist or receives care from multiple healthcare professionals, ePrescribing enables the sharing of accurate and up-to-date medication information. This ensures that all healthcare providers involved in the student’s care are aware of the medications being prescribed, reducing the risk of adverse drug interactions or duplications.
4. Cost savings
Another advantage of ePrescribing is the potential for cost savings. By electronically transmitting prescriptions, healthcare providers can access information about formulary coverage and medication costs in real-time. This allows them to make informed decisions about prescribing medications that are both effective and affordable for students. Additionally, ePrescribing reduces the need for paper and printing, contributing to environmental sustainability and cost savings.
5. Medication adherence
Moreover, ePrescribing promotes medication adherence among college students. Through electronic reminders and notifications, students can receive alerts about when to take their medications, helping them stay on track with their treatment plans. This is especially important for students who may struggle with managing their medications due to busy schedules or forgetfulness.
6. Improved security
Lastly, ePrescribing enhances patient privacy and security. Electronic prescriptions are encrypted and transmitted through secure networks, ensuring that sensitive health information remains confidential. This protects students’ privacy and reduces the risk of prescription fraud or identity theft.

ePrescribing’s Role in College Medication Safety

Medication safety is a crucial aspect of student health. College campuses often house large numbers of students, making it challenging to monitor medication usage.

ePrescribing offers a comprehensive solution by integrating electronic health records (EHRs) with local or on-campus pharmacies. This integration enables healthcare providers to access students’ medical histories and generate prescriptions that best fit their needs.

Furthermore, ePrescribing systems can provide drug interaction alerts. Providers can receive real-time notifications about potential interactions, allowing them to adjust prescriptions accordingly and minimize adverse reactions.

Imagine a scenario where a college student is prescribed medication for a specific condition. However, unbeknownst to the healthcare provider, the student is also taking another medication they were prescribed at another clinic. Without the use of ePrescribing, it may be challenging for the healthcare provider to identify this potential interaction and adjust the prescription accordingly. However, with the integration of electronic health records and pharmacy systems, ePrescribing can flag this interaction, alerting the healthcare provider to take appropriate action.

Moreover, secure messaging can facilitate better communication between healthcare providers and college students. Through secure messaging platforms integrated with a comprehensive EHR and ePrescribing system, students can easily reach out to their healthcare providers with any questions or concerns regarding their medications. This direct line of communication fosters a collaborative relationship, allowing healthcare providers to address any issues promptly and effectively.

To sum things up, ePrescribing offers numerous benefits in ensuring medication safety for college students. By leveraging smart and convenient technology, healthcare providers can enhance patient care, minimize medication errors, and ultimately contribute to the improved well-being of their students.

The Prescription for a Safer Campus: Opioid Awareness Initiatives

The opioid crisis has become a pressing concern in recent years. College students are not immune to its devastating effects. ePrescribing can contribute to combating this crisis on college campuses by facilitating opioid education and monitoring. Through electronic systems, healthcare providers can closely monitor opioid prescriptions, detect patterns of misuse, and intervene promptly to prevent potential addiction.

Furthermore, targeted educational programs about the risks of prescription abuse and practical steps for reducing misuse of these drugs can raise critical awareness of this issue amongst students. For instance, students from West Virginia University took part in a survey that consisted of questions about identifying opioid overdose and what to do in an overdose emergency. The study found that “exposure to opioid prescriptions and naloxone training increase a student’s knowledge about opioid overdose,” supporting the idea that overdose and opioid education across college campuses can be extremely beneficial, and even lifesaving.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, ePrescribing serves as an essential tool to ensure medication safety for college students. It can also be a tool to help fight the opioid epidemic, especially among young people.

Some of the benefits of ePrescribing include:

  • Reduced medication errors
  • Increased convenience for students, providers, and pharmacists
  • Improved clinical operations
  • Potential cost savings
  • Enhanced medication adherence
  • Improved healthcare security and patient privacy

By embracing this digital solution, colleges can empower their students to lead healthier lives and achieve academic success.

Discover the impacts ePrescribing can have on your campus.

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College Athletics and Mental Health: Helping Student-Athletes Strike a Balance

College athletes face numerous challenges when it comes to balancing their athletic commitments and mental health. The pressure to perform at a high level, the demands of rigorous training schedules, academic responsibilities, and the expectations placed on them by coaches and teammates can all take a toll on their mental health.

Continue reading as we explore the dynamic collaboration between coaches and university leaders, revealing a holistic approach that ensures the well-being and success of student-athletes on both academic and athletic fronts.

Student Athlete Stats

Tensions Between Mental Health & College Athletics

Maintaining mental health while participating in college athletics is often challenging. Student-athletes face long training hours, grueling competition schedules, and the pressure to perform at all times. These factors can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even burnout. In 2021, the NCAA conducted a study that found that 24% of male and 36% of female athletes “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function.” 

Moreover, student-athletes are also much less likely to seek help when experiencing mental health challenges. Only about 10% of student-athletes seek help through college resources, compared to 30% of the general student population. This may be attributed to student-athletes wanting to appear “tough” and not show signs of weakness or vulnerability.

Getting adequate sleep is crucial for mental health, and many times, student-athletes struggle to achieve this. Many athletes struggle with having enough time to balance both sports and their academic lives, negatively impacting sleep in a major way.

Furthermore, poor sleep has been shown to increase anxiety and depression, which positions student-athletes at a greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges that can adversely impact their overall well-being and athletic performance. Adequate and quality sleep plays a crucial role in the physical and mental recovery essential for athletes to maintain peak performance levels, and addressing sleep issues is imperative for fostering a healthier and more resilient student-athlete population.

Student-athletes need to recognize their limits and listen to their bodies and minds. Taking breaks when needed, getting adequate sleep, practicing self-care, and seeking support from resources available to them are essential steps in maintaining good mental health. Universities can also play a significant role in educating athletes on all aspects of personal wellness.

Leveraging Student-Athlete Support Resources

Student-athletes have a unique set of needs regarding mental health support. Many universities recognize this and have established resources specifically designed to assist athletes.

For example, most colleges offer counseling services that provide confidential support to student-athletes struggling with various mental health issues. Some colleges even have sports psychologists dedicated to helping their student-athletes. USC’s sports psychology department found that many first-year students had anxiety and stress due to performance expectations and scholarships. This emphasizes the importance of colleges offering services that can help student-athletes manage their mental health challenges.

Looking for inspiration? Uncover how St. Xavier’s Counseling Center revamped their operations to support a broader spectrum of students.

In addition to counseling services, some universities have implemented programs that focus on promoting mental well-being among student-athletes. These programs often include workshops, seminars, and training sessions that teach athletes strategies for managing stress and building resilienceThese outreach events can be organized and supported through an effective counseling EHR system.  

Through counseling services, programs, and partnerships, universities are equipping student-athletes with the necessary tools to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain overall well-being. By prioritizing mental health, universities are not only helping student-athletes succeed in their athletic pursuits, but also preparing them for a healthy and fulfilling future.

Creating a Supportive Community for Student-Athletes

Developing a supportive community for student-athletes can greatly contribute to their mental well-being. This can be achieved by establishing peer support programs where older athletes mentor and support younger teammates. Peer support programs provide a valuable outlet for student-athletes, allowing them to seek guidance from someone who understands their unique experiences. According to nDUR for Athletes, “Over 80% of student-athletes turn to their peers or family members FIRST for mental health support, not adult therapists or counselors.” Therefore, the impact that peers and family can make on student-athletes mental health should not be overlooked.

Furthermore, universities can promote inclusivity and acceptance within their athletic programs. By celebrating diversity and embracing individuals from all backgrounds, institutions can create an environment where student-athletes feel valued and supported. This sense of belonging is crucial for student-athlete mental health.

The Role Coaches Play

Coaches play a crucial role in the mental health of student-athletes. They are not only responsible for helping athletes develop their skills, but also for creating a supportive and inclusive team culture. Coaches who prioritize mental health recognize that it’s not just the athlete’s physical abilities that contribute to their success, but also their mental state. 

One way coaches can support their athletes is by fostering open communication. Encouraging athletes to share their concerns, fears, and struggles can help create a safe space for them to seek guidance and support.  

Furthermore, coaches must make a proactive effort to understand the challenges their athletes face. This means being educated on all resources available to student athletes, actively listening to concerns, and providing quick and confidential referrals to support resources when needed. 

Key Takeaways

Stress and pressure are inherent parts of being a student-athlete. While some levels of stress can be motivating, excessive and chronic stress can have detrimental effects on mental health. It’s essential to acknowledge and address these challenges to help student athletes thrive.

In conclusion, maintaining a balance between college athletics and mental health is crucial for the well-being (and success) of student athletes.  

Colleges can support student-athlete mental well-being by:

  • Emphasizing the resources available to them
  • Promoting open communication
  • Creating a supportive community
  • Understanding the challenges they face
  • Addressing the impacts of stress
  • Ensuring meaningful support from coaches

Transform your approach to promoting mental health among your students with Medicat’s powerful solutions. Explore how to unlock the full potential of your mental health initiatives and elevate well-being on your campus.

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EHR Software for College Counseling Clinics Produces Impressive Results

College Counseling Clinics Impressive Results

Just two years after its launch, Medicat’s revamped Counseling EHR has changed the way clinics operate, saving time and improving the student experience. These remarkable results are showcased across three brand-new case studies.

Medicat’s Counseling EHR is designed to streamline and enhance the delivery of mental health services on college campuses, providing students with accessible and efficient support. The software solution has been met with overwhelming satisfaction from top schools across the country.

The Case Studies

St. Xavier University

St. Xavier University grew tired of straddling its outdated EHR system and a growing pile of paper records. They transitioned to Medicat’s EHR, allowing them to become a 100% paperless clinic. Plus, time savings allowed providers to see more clients, despite an increase in demand for services.

Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian University is a school renowned for its commitment to holistic student wellness. According to Tyson Alexander, the school’s Director of Medical and Counseling Care, “integrating our health and counseling clinics was a game-changer. With this new EHR, our Counseling Clinic saw 20% more students last year, more individuals than ever before. Additionally, the efficiency gained by automating appointment reminders allowed us to reduce our ‘no show’ rate by 12%!”

Wofford College

Wofford College achieved remarkable time-saving benefits that truly make a difference in their operations. By moving from paper to Medicat’s web-based solution, the clinic now saves an average of 10 hours per week on administrative tasks. Training time for new counselors was also reduced from two weeks to two days, allowing the clinic to efficiently train its growing team.

These success stories underscore the transformative impact of Medicat’s Counseling EHR. By simplifying clinical workflow and saving precious time, the platform has become an invaluable tool for improving the student experience.

Medicat’s CEO, Adam Cole, expressed his pride in the Counseling EHR’s impact so far:

“We’re incredibly grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us to deliver an exceptional EHR. Our goal has always been to empower mental health professionals to have a greater impact on student’s lives, and with this new product, I think we’ve done just that.”

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6 Proven Strategies to Enhance Student Immunization Compliance

Immunization compliance is an integral part of the college enrollment process. With the rush of students coming in each semester (and especially over the summer months), this can be a stressful and time-consuming task for your clinic’s staff.

For healthcare students who take part in clinical and residency programs, even more vaccines (and therefore verifications) are likely required. With all of the various requirements of the different programs, it can be challenging to efficiently collect and verify student immunization data at scale.

In addition, your immunization verification process also needs to maintain compliance with data protection rules set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Lastly, new standards for health and safety may be periodically established for future infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. This makes it even more critical to efficiently manage an immunization compliance program.

How to Improve Your Student Immunization Compliance Process

Collecting and verifying immunization records is complex and time intensive. Plus, it requires cooperation and communication from students. Despite the challenges of collecting and verifying substantial amounts of student health data, there are steps you can take to make this process less painful for all involved.

Implementing the following measures will enable your clinic to experience the advantages of a streamlined and regulatory-compliant immunization management system:

  1. Establish a reasonable timeline. Ensuring that students are aware of when their immunizations are due is essential for compliance. Letting students know well in advance will give them enough time to properly gather and submit their immunization records. Less stress for them means less stress for you!
  2. Communicate requirements clearly. College students have a lot on their plate, especially incoming first-year students. It’s critical to clearly outline immunization requirements. This is especially true when outlining specific requirements for different academic programs, as mentioned above.
  3. Establish safe and secure reporting. Utilizing an EHR that has reporting capabilities can make a significant impact on immunization compliance efforts. Reporting features allow clinic staff to create customized cohorts, leverage advanced filtering, and view real-time compliance status, allowing for more accurate and transparent tracking.
  4. Automate manual verification processes. Manually verifying immunizations is extremely time-consuming. Having the ability to automate the process with an effective EHR is going to speed up the process significantly.
  5. Use technology to communicate at scale. Automated messaging tools can help you send out reminders to students regarding certain immunization requirements and deadlines. This can alleviate the burden on staff responsible for contacting students via phone or email.
  6. Integrate with applicable systems. A game changer for immunization tracking is the ability to interface with your state’s registry. This will save time and improve efficiency, resulting in a more streamlined and effective clinic.

Discover what your clinic could accomplish with an effective immunization tracking system. Plus, learn how to bring your campus into full compliance. Ready to explore the advantages of an immunization EHR? See how Medicat can transform the way you manage immunization compliance.

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3 Ways Smart Data Management Can Support Your Clinic

This piece was contributed by Mary Kuchenbrod, VP of Data Operations at Arcadia, an analytics platform for data-driven healthcare organizations. To learn how you can deliver faster decisions and better results using advanced healthcare analytics, visit Arcadia’s website.

Healthcare Analytics

Across the healthcare spectrum, clinics are having to adapt their traditional IT processes to handle increasing volumes of patient data, and with more challenging demands for breadth and depth. Without the right tools, they risk not being able to derive meaningful insights from clinical data which could result in making uninformed decisions.

That’s why advanced approaches and tools are necessary for streamlined data collection, storage, sharing, and analysis. When data management is done effectively, downstream analytic outputs help providers make the right decisions at the right time without any additional costs. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss how data management tools are solving healthcare’s greatest data difficulties, including:

  • Data Storage
  • Data Interoperability
  • Data Safety 

The way that healthcare organizations store, share, and analyze data today has future consequences. For a healthier tomorrow, clinics should embrace the power of analytics and let it transform their processes. Let’s explore how they can do that in the next sections.

Data Storage

With a single patient generating nearly 80 megabytes of data each year in imaging and EMR data alone, healthcare data volumes are only expected to expand. Therefore, organizations need a reliable IT storage solution that can keep their patient data accessible without risking privacy concerns. 

The optimal storage solution should allow for:

  • Data organization: File management can be a pain for clinics. Your online storage solution should be able to eliminate chart chasing and give you access to the patient data you need when you need it.
  • Scalable growth: As your clinic grows, your data volume will inevitably increase. The amount of patient information and medical records will continue to balloon, so you’ll need to choose a solution that can handle new data input without causing growing pains.
  • Reliable security. Ensuring the privacy and security of patient data and mitigating risk must be considered. Encryption, access protections, and row-level permission settings are critical to ensure your patient data is kept safe. 

To find the right data storage solution, many clinics turn to high-level analytics vendors that can provide what is known as a data warehouse. This organized repository stores all usable healthcare information retrieved from EHRs, insurance claims, HIEs, lab databases, and other critical data sources.

Data Sharing

Data storage isn’t the only problem clinics need to tackle. With siloed systems and multiple sources of truth, another common issue is data fragmentation or the occurrence of division within your documentation. 

At best, these divisions cause clinics to spend too much time interpreting data from scattered IT systems. At worst, they can cause poor clinical decisions. However, the right tools for data sharing can help your team avoid potential problems by increasing: 

  • Employee efficiency. Tools like EHR integration keep data readily accessible. This enables employees to make the best use of their time and avoid provider burnout caused by hefty task loads.
  • Care collaboration. Integrated EHR systems provide a platform for clinicians to seamlessly share and problem-solve through organized, transferable insights.
  • Patient engagement and retention. Cleaner file management can lead to an increase in patient retention and engagement as additional patient nuances are taken into account. 

When leveraged properly, analytics tools can lead clinicians away from reactive medical treatments and toward preventive medicine. This means clinicians are no longer adjusting their treatment plans based on a limited pool of immediately available data. Instead, they are using aggregated EHR data from multiple sources at the point of care.

Data Safety

Data safety is the final hurdle healthcare organizations must jump through. Once a scalable data storage solution is established and data sharing is made more accessible, robust measures are needed to ensure that data quality remains high over time, so that clinicians can feel confident in their patient data. 

Managing data quality over time can be a risky endeavor, with the unexpected happening constantly. Just like driving a car, each one of us tries to drive as safely as possible, but other drivers on the road or even the weather could mean you end up in an accident. Data management needs to be approached with the same safety precautions to minimize harm in the event of a data crash. 

That’s where data seatbelts come in. A strong portfolio of safety checks should include: 

  • Continuous monitoring. Your healthcare data is changing all the time. For each data batch, ask, “Did I get the data I expected? Was it in the right format? Did the information it contained align with previous batches?” For EHR data, this could look like measuring the volume over time of key clinical concepts.
  • Disaster recovery and backups. Preventing a data crash requires reliable backup options. Make sure your team has a comprehensive data safety plan complete with redundant storage options for data restoration.
  • Root cause analysis. If the data suggests any inconsistencies or promotes unexpected actions, conduct an analysis to make sure the data is standardized to reveal any underlying issues. Address these issues quickly to maintain data integrity.

A substantial benefit of good data management is that it builds trust in your organization’s data recovery processes. The best ongoing practices assume that something will go wrong, flag it when it does, and isolate that data from moving downstream and negatively impacting your operations.


Increasing data volumes demand improvements in existing healthcare IT systems. The adoption of strong data management tools and techniques can help healthcare organizations set the pace for improved capabilities. Additionally, smart data management can help your team improve its efficiency and increase capacity without increasing risk.

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From Data to Action: Improving Your Campus Through Reporting

Wellness Reporting

In a society that values health and wellbeing more than ever, colleges and universities bear a significant responsibility to ensure the wellness of their students. One crucial component of this endeavor is the monitoring and reporting of services provided by these institutions. In this article, we delve deep into how to report on wellness services utilization.

Specifically, we will be discussing the impacts reporting can have on:

  • Student health clinics
  • Counseling centers
  • Immunization compliance management

The crux of any meaningful report is objective and accurate data. The utility of data in reporting cannot be overstated, as it forms the basis of the most insightful analyses and strategic decisions. The data sets visualized through reporting can offer holistic insights into health and counseling utilization patterns among students and can highlight specific groups of students, programs, or clinics that may need extra attention.

An effective EHR can interpret these data sets and unmask correlations and trends that might not be clear at first glance, thereby enabling colleges to make data-driven decisions to improve overall wellness strategy and the student experience.

Identifying Trends to Address Evolving Counseling Needs

Challenges such as academic stress, social anxiety, and depression call for effective counseling centers on campuses. Reporting on wellness service utilization can significantly improve the impact of counseling centers.

In addition to health screenings, counseling services data can provide valuable information on the mental health needs of students. By analyzing the number of counseling sessions conducted, the reasons for seeking counseling, and the outcomes of these sessions, colleges can better understand the mental health challenges faced by their students.

Reports can also highlight appointment wait times and session lengths. This data can then be used to allocate resources effectively, such as hiring more counselors or implementing outreach events. Lastly, real-time reports can flag any sudden increases in counseling needs, enabling swift institutional responses to pressing student needs.

With the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among students, it’s crucial for colleges and universities to closely monitor the demand for and usage of these services. By examining the trends in mental health service utilization, institutions can decide if their current resources are sufficient to meet the growing needs of their students. It’s imperative that colleges use reporting to address these critical issues.

The Transformative Role of Reporting in College Health Centers

College health centers are the first line of defense when it comes to student health issues. Therefore, making the health center as effective as possible should top the priority list of college leaders.

Detailed reports can reveal the number of students seeking medical care, the types of health concerns addressed, and the outcomes of these consultations, providing valuable insights.

Reports can also help figure out if there are any potential outbreak scenarios occurring on campus. By analyzing this data, colleges can track common health issues among students, such as respiratory infections or stress-related conditions, and develop proactive strategies to promote health and wellbeing. This can include initiatives like educational workshops, campus-wide health campaigns, or specialized clinics to address growing student health needs.

Moreover, the analysis of trends in wellness services utilization should not be limited to the student population alone. It is equally important to examine the utilization patterns among faculty and staff members if they have access to health services on your campus. By understanding the needs of the entire campus community, schools can tailor their services to meet these diverse needs.

In addition, it’s important to analyze utilization trends related to preventative health services. By examining trends in preventive healthcare, institutions can determine if their efforts to promote and provide a preventive approach to care are effective.

How Reports Help Paint a Picture of Immunization Compliance

Vaccination is a potent weapon in a college’s healthcare arsenal. Ensuring immunization compliance among students is necessary not just for individual health, but for community wellbeing. Advanced immunization reports can track vaccination rates and reveal trends in immunization compliance.

Moreover, immunization data is vital for preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and ensuring the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty. By identifying any gaps in immunization coverage, colleges can implement targeted vaccination campaigns to increase compliance and protect against potential health risks. Therefore, through effective reporting and analysis, colleges can aspire to achieve better immunization compliance and foster a healthier campus community.

Identifying Opportunities for Improvement in Wellness Services Utilization

Reports do more than just highlight the utilization of your wellness offerings; they also pave the way for necessary improvements. By identifying underutilized resources or services that fail to meet students’ needs, institutions can take proactive steps to improve campus-wide wellness.

These changes can involve better allocation of resources, increased awareness campaigns for lesser-used services, or a complete overhaul of certain wellness programs. Also, student feedback can be an incredible tool for helping campus leaders understand why certain services aren’t being used.

Key Takeaways

By leveraging this rich data and effectively visualizing and interpreting it, colleges can gain a comprehensive understanding of the impacts (and/or shortcomings) of their wellness offerings. This information empowers colleges, including clinic leaders, to make data-driven decisions that are tailored to the unique needs of their student population.

By addressing underutilized or ineffective wellness initiatives, colleges can optimize the allocation of resources and improve the overall quality of care and student experience. Ultimately, advanced reporting on the utilization of wellness services is a powerful tool that enables colleges to create healthier and more supportive environments for their students.

Ready to see the impacts that reporting can make on your campus? Connect with a member of our team.

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Navigating New Beginnings: Fostering First-Year Success through Wellness

Navigating New Beginnings

Fostering First-Year Success through Wellness

Student Wellness

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, the transition to college life can be an overwhelming experience for many first-year students. With new responsibilities, academic challenges, and social pressures, it’s crucial for colleges to provide support systems that help students navigate and succeed. This blog explores various strategies that college leaders can employ to support first-year students through a wellness lens.

Continue reading to learn how your campus can foster a positive experience for first-year students and increase retention rates.

Promoting Wellness and Self-Care for First-Year Students

The transition to college life can often be overwhelming and stressful for first-year students. To support their overall well-being, colleges can promote holistic wellness and self-care practices. This can include offering workshops on stress management, mindfulness, and healthy coping mechanisms.

Colleges can also promote the existence of wellness centers or counseling services that provide confidential support to students. These centers can offer individual counseling sessions, group therapy, and wellness programs such as meditation or yoga classes. Colleges that promote mental health services and well-being can help first-year students navigate the challenges they may face and develop resilience.

Making Students Aware of the Health Center

Amid the lectures, assignments, and extracurricular activities, students may not be aware of all their campus resources. Arguably, one of the most critical resources for students is the health center. Student health centers are not just about treating illnesses; they foster a culture of self-care, resilience, and support. For many first-year students, this is their first time making healthcare appointments for themselves without their parents. On top of this being a new experience, this can be an intimidating time, so colleges should focus on making the health center well-known and approachable. After all, a healthy student is an empowered learner.

Increasing Counseling Center Awareness

College life can be challenging, and it’s essential for students to have access to mental health support. Colleges should prioritize the availability and accessibility of counseling services. They can achieve this by promoting the counseling center’s services through emails, campus-wide announcements, and during orientation programs. Additionally, colleges can provide training sessions to faculty and staff on how to recognize and support students who may be experiencing mental health issues. By normalizing, seeking help, and providing adequate support, colleges can ensure that first-year students receive the necessary care when needed.

Bringing Awareness to Available Resources

Colleges have a plethora of resources that can aid first-year students in their academic and personal journeys. These resources can include libraries, academic writing centers, research facilities, and career development offices. They can even include resources like group exercise classes, outdoor-focused clubs, and nutritionists. However, it is essential for colleges to regularly promote and make students aware of these resources.

Many college leaders know that just announcing a resource one time at one event is simply not enough. Reinforcing the availability of these resources by talking about them through various mediums, multiple times can really help to drive adoption.

Colleges should organize information sessions or workshops that highlight the various resources available on campus. They can also create online platforms or portals where students can access information, tutorials, and additional support. By effectively utilizing and promoting these resources, colleges can ensure that first-year students have the necessary tools and support to excel in their college education.

College is not just about academics; it is also a time for personal growth and exploration. To foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for social and colleges can organize various events and activities.

These can include cultural festivals, club fairs, student-led discussions, and guest lectures. By encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities, colleges can help them develop new interests, expand their social circles, and build lifelong friendships. Additionally, colleges can support student organizations and clubs that provide platforms for students to pursue their passions and explore their identities.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, the transition to college life can be a significant challenge for first-year students. However, with the right support systems in place, colleges can facilitate a smoother and more successful transition by engaging in the following:

  • Creating a supportive environment
  • Introducing students to wellness and self-care practices
  • Promoting campus resources
  • Offering social and cultural engagement opportunities
  • Prioritizing access to both health and counseling services

By offering an easy way to schedule mental health appointments and promote events happening on campus, Medicat’s EHR can help foster a smooth transition to college life for first-year students. Connect with a member of our team to learn more.

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Mental Health Support Proven to Improve Student Retention 

Mental health is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue among college students. The stress and pressure of academic demands, social expectations, and the transition to adulthood can take a toll on young adults, often leading to mental health concerns.

With retention top of mind for many institutions, let’s explore the importance of mental health services in supporting students throughout their educational journey. Additionally, we’ll delve into how colleges can provide support specifically targeted towards first-year students.

Impacts On School Performance

Student retention, defined as the ability of a student to persist and complete their educational goals, is a critical aspect of how colleges and universities gauge success. However, mental health challenges can harm a student’s ability to stay enrolled and excel academically. The link between mental health and student retention has been extensively studied, and the findings are alarming.

The 2022 Annual CCMH Report found that first-year students with a history of mental health challenges and high levels of academic distress were more likely to drop out. However, the report also highlights that once students begin to experience improvements in their mental health, they were 51% less likely to withdraw from college. This emphasizes the significant impact that counseling support can have on retention rates.

Reduced academic performance, lack of motivation, and limited social support systems are contributing factors to college students either dropping out or taking longer to complete their degrees. Furthermore, untreated mental health conditions can lead to a decline in overall well-being, making it even more challenging for students to stay engaged and focused on their studies.

Along with academic challenges, reduced motivation is another common consequence of mental health issues that can hinder student retention. Mental health conditions often sap individuals of their drive, zest, and enthusiasm. Students who are struggling with their mental well-being may find it hard to muster the motivation to attend classes, participate in extracurricular activities, or engage in academic pursuits. This lack of motivation can create a vicious cycle, as the less involved a student becomes, the more isolated and disengaged they may feel from their educational journey.

Untreated mental health conditions can have far-reaching consequences beyond academic performance. The decline in overall well-being caused by these conditions can further hinder student retention. Mental health issues can affect various aspects of a student’s life, including their physical health, relationships, and ability to engage in self-care. When faced with the daily challenges of managing their mental health, students may find it difficult to prioritize their education and allocate the necessary time and energy to succeed academically.

Addressing First-Year Students’ Mental Health

The transition into college can be particularly challenging for first-year students. They’re often away from home for the first time, navigating a new environment, and building new social relationships. To support students during this critical period, colleges should consider the following:

  1. Implement orientation programs that address mental health and provide information on available support services.
  2. Assign peer mentors to first-year students to help them navigate the college experience and offer guidance on mental health resources.
  3. Organize social events and activities that promote a sense of belonging and foster connections among students.
  4. Create online platforms where students can seek advice and support from their peers or professionals.
  5. Regularly communicate through newsletters or emails, sharing information on mental health resources and self-care practices.

The Role of College Counseling Centers

Recognizing the detrimental impact of mental health issues on student retention, colleges, and universities are increasingly prioritizing mental health services. Providing accessible and comprehensive counseling services can significantly improve the retention rates of students with mental health concerns. By offering therapy, support groups, and resources, colleges can help students develop effective coping mechanisms that enable them to navigate the challenges of college life.

In addition to counseling services, colleges have also invested in mental health awareness campaigns and education programs. These initiatives help reduce mental health stigma, encouraging students to seek help and support without fear of judgment. Normalizing conversations about mental health is essential in fostering a campus culture that values and prioritizes the well-being of its students.

Key Takeaways

The impact of mental health on academic performance and overall well-being is significant, making it imperative for colleges to prioritize student mental health. By providing accessible mental health services, promoting mental health awareness, and implementing strategies tailored to first-year students, colleges can support students in their journey toward achieving academic success while maintaining their mental well-being.

With Medicat’s Counseling EHR, your clinic will be able to securely communicate with students, promote outreach events, and report on the impact you’re having across campus. Learn more today.

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