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Tag: Physical Health

Mind-Body Interventions for Student health

How Yoga, Meditation, and Breathing Exercises Improve Student Health

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

Mind-Body Interventions: How Yoga, Meditation, and Breathing Exercises Improve Student Health

Late-night study sessions. Mounting debt. Constant pressure to perform. It’s no wonder today’s students are reporting record levels of stress and anxiety. In fact, the American College Health Association’s Spring 2024 national survey revealed that over 76% of students report moderate to high levels of stress, and nearly half experience overwhelming anxiety.

For college health and counseling clinics, these numbers highlight the urgent need for accessible, preventative wellness strategies. And one effective solution lies in mind-body interventions. Practices like yoga, meditation, and controlled breathing help regulate stress while improving physical and mental well-being.

In this blog, we’ll explore what mind-body interventions really are and share practical strategies for bringing them to your campus.

What Are Mind-Body Interventions?

Mind-body interventions are techniques that use the connection between mental focus and physical state to promote healing and resilience. Unlike traditional treatments that address symptoms in isolation, these practices target the underlying stress response.

Some of the most widely adopted include:

  • Yoga: Combines physical postures, controlled breathing, and mindfulness.
  • Meditation: Focused attention practices that calm racing thoughts and improve emotional regulation.
  • Breathing Exercises: Simple techniques like box breathing or diaphragmatic breathing that stabilize heart rate and nervous system activity.
  • Massage Therapy: Physical manipulation of muscles and soft tissue to improve circulation, decrease anxiety, and support overall mind-body balance.

These interventions are low-cost, non-invasive, and adaptable, making them ideal for a higher education setting where accessibility and inclusivity are key.

The Benefits of Mind-Body Practices for Students

The impact of stress on students extends far beyond mental strain. Chronic stress is linked to poor sleep, weakened immunity, and impaired cognitive function which can lead to lower academic performance. By integrating mind-body interventions into campus wellness initiatives, institutions can help students build healthier coping mechanisms that prevent crisis-level care needs.

1. Mental Health Improvements

A growing body of research shows that yoga and meditation significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in college students. One study in the Journal of American College Health found that students participating in an 8-week mindfulness program reported decreased stress and improved mood regulation.

2. Academic and Cognitive Gains

Moreover, mindfulness practices have been linked to better concentration, working memory, and executive functioning—all crucial for academic success. Regular meditation practice can help students feel calmer, more grounded, and better able to manage stressful times like exam weeks.

3. Physical Health Benefits

Mind-body practices don’t just calm the mind; they also improve the body’s resilience. Yoga can reduce back pain from long study sessions, improve posture, and alleviate headaches or digestive issues exacerbated by stress.

Furthermore, breathing exercises can lower blood pressure and improve heart health, overall improving symptoms associated with anxiety.

4. Healthy Coping and Resilience

Instead of relying on quick fixes like caffeine, students can turn to breathing exercises and meditation as practical, on-the-spot strategies.

Whether it’s before a big exam, after a conflict, or during a stressful moment, these practices help build lasting coping skills and resilience.

Practical Strategies for Campus Integration

Bringing mind-body interventions to campus doesn’t have to mean building a yoga studio or adding entirely new programs. Instead, colleges can embed these practices into existing health, counseling, and student life structures in ways that feel natural and inclusive.

Embedding Practices in College Health Clinics

Health clinics are often a student’s first stop when stress shows up as headaches, fatigue, or stomach issues. Clinics can use these moments to introduce students to practical mind-body tools.

For example, a provider might demonstrate a simple two-minute breathing exercise during an appointment or recommend yoga as part of a care plan for stress-related physical symptoms.

On a larger scale, clinics can display calming guided breathing videos in waiting areas, offer digital resources through patient portals, and share recommendations for trusted mindfulness or yoga apps. By weaving these interventions into medical care, students see stress management as part of overall health—not a separate, optional practice.

Expanding Counseling & Wellness Services

Counseling centers are uniquely positioned to integrate mind-body approaches into therapy. Counselors can open sessions with a brief meditation, use breathing exercises to help students ground themselves in moments of high anxiety, or suggest yoga in addition to talk therapy.

Beyond one-on-one care, wellness staff can host drop-in meditation groups or partner with recreation departments to co-sponsor yoga workshops. Training peer wellness leaders to guide short mindfulness practices can also help extend reach and reduce stigma, making these interventions more approachable for students who may be hesitant to seek counseling.

P.S. Check out three experts’ top tips for collaborating with other departments on campus.

Leveraging Technology to Support Mind-Body Interventions

Furthermore, technology can amplify the reach of these practices. With the right tools, staff can easily recommend and reinforce mind-body strategies:

  • Campus EHR systems can deliver post-visit resources or promote upcoming workshops through secure messaging.
  • Automated appointment reminders can include quick stress-reduction tips to engage students before their visit.
  • Telehealth services allow providers to guide students through breathing or mindfulness exercises virtually, ensuring continuity of care.

Key Takeaways

The key to lasting impact is consistency. When students see yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises woven into the fabric of campus life, they’re more likely to adopt them as daily habits. Over time, this builds a healthier, more resilient student body and reduces demand for crisis services.

By supporting both reactive care (counseling sessions, medical visits) and preventive care (mind-body interventions, wellness education), institutions can move closer to a truly holistic  model of student well-being.

Ready to bring holistic care to your campus?

Learn how Medicat’s EHR solutions can help your team streamline care and support a healthier student community.

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College Health Clinic Efficiency

3 Key Features to Save Time and Improve Care in Your College Health Clinic

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

Key Findings and Their Impact on College Mental Health

You became a campus healthcare provider to heal, counsel, and support students through their most vulnerable moments. Instead, you’re drowning in documentation, clicking through endless screens, and racing against the clock to squeeze in actual patient care between administrative tasks.

You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining the burden. Research reveals that primary care physicians spend nearly 50% of their time buried in EHR systems and paperwork—almost double the 27% they spend caring for patients.

That imbalance takes a toll—not just on clinicians, but on overall clinic performance. But with the right tools in place, it’s possible to reclaim that time and refocus on student care.

In this article, we highlight three powerful features that can dramatically reduce admin time and help your staff refocus on what matters most: your students.

1. Smart Calendar Syncing for Seamless Scheduling

Juggling schedules between providers, counselors, and especially departments can be a logistical headache. Double-bookings, miscommunications, and the need to check multiple platforms (email, personal calendars, sticky notes) can significantly slow down the process.

With smart calendar syncing, providers can integrate their EHR with existing tools, like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, or Apple Calendar.

Benefits of utilizing calendar syncing:

  • Instant reflection of schedule changes across platforms
  • Elimination of overbooking, no-show risks, and human error
  • Streamlined cross-team coordination without the back-and-forth

For campus health clinics that offer both medical and behavioral health services, calendar syncing also helps align staff across departments while maintaining the appropriate boundaries and permissions for privacy and access.

2. Built-In Dictation to Speed Up Documentation

Documentation is a vital part of every student encounter, but it doesn’t have to lead to working overtime. Manually typing SOAP notes or intake summaries eats up provider time that could be spent directly with students.

That’s where built-in dictation tools come in. Modern voice recognition tools allows providers to speak notes in real-time.

These tools can:

  • Accurately transcribe spoken words into structured notes
  • Cut down on redundant typing, formatting, and late-night charting
  • Improve a provider’s ability to focus on the patient

In fact, one study found that providers using speech recognition software completed documentation in just over 5 minutes per form—nearly cutting their time in half compared to manual typing.

And for multitasking providers who split time between appointments, monthly clinics, and drop-in visits, that time saved is invaluable.

P.S. Schedule time with our team to see our new dictation tool in action!

3. Streamline Intake & Care with Smart Automations

Let’s face it: no one enjoys handing out clipboards, scanning PDFs, or calling no-show students. And yet, these administrative tasks take up large portions of staff time every day.

However, with a modern EHR system, clinics can leverage digital intake forms and automated appointment reminders to take the manual work off your plate.

Look for these key features when selecting an EHR:

  • Customizable pre-visit forms sent automatically via email or secure message
  • Digital signature capture for consent and compliance documentation
  • Automated appointment reminders that cut down on no-shows and late arrivals can be sent via email, secure message, or SMS

With automation in place, the connection between communication and care becomes faster, clearer, and more reliable.

Key Takeaways

Choosing an EHR with time-saving tools like calendar syncing, voice dictation, and digital forms can transform your clinic’s daily operations. These features reduce burnout, streamline care delivery, and free up your team to focus on what matters most.

Want to see how Medicat’s campus EHR helps clinics like yours save hours each week? Schedule a demo with our team

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Campus Health Clinic

Is Your Campus Health Clinic Ready to Serve Faculty and Staff?

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

Key Considerations by College Size

As colleges place more focus on whole-campus well-being and talent retention, many are asking: Should our health center also serve faculty and staff?

Extending care beyond the student population can strengthen community health, build campus cohesion, and boost the visibility of your clinic. But it’s not a simple decision. From credentialing to capacity, there are important operational, legal, and financial factors to weigh.

Let’s walk through:

  • Key questions to ask before expanding services
  • The benefits and drawbacks of serving faculty/staff
  • How your college’s size and structure can impact the decision
  • Alternative models that allow for flexibility without overextending

Key Questions to Ask Before Expanding Services

Assessing Your Campus Clinic’s Current Capacity

Before expanding services to include faculty and staff, it’s important to evaluate your current operations.

  • Are your exam rooms consistently in use?
  • Do you have sufficient providers to support additional visits without affecting student access?
  • Could extending hours into the evenings or weekends increase flexibility?

Understanding your capacity for space, staffing, and scheduling will help you determine whether expansion is realistic and sustainable.

Credentialing To Bill Employee Health Insurance Plans

Unlike student health services, which often operate under different billing models, providing care to employees typically requires credentialing with commercial insurance plans.

If your clinic isn’t already set up to accept a range of health plans, you may need to:

  • Establish payer contracts
  • Train staff on new billing workflows
  • Implement claims processing systems

These changes can be complex, but they are essential for reimbursement and the financial well-being of your clinic long-term.

Recognizing Existing Informal Care Patterns

Are faculty or staff already asking your providers for quick advice or informal care?
This may indicate both a need and an opportunity. Formalizing those services:

  • Helps clarify provider roles and liability
  • Enhances continuity of care
  • Builds trust in a more structured employee wellness offering

Aligning with Existing Employee Health Programs

If your institution already has an Employee Health or Occupational Health department, take time to assess how your clinic could complement, rather than compete with, those services.

Look for opportunities to:

A strong partnership can enhance the well-being of your entire campus community.

Top Benefits of Offering Faculty and Staff Care

Promotes Campus-Wide Well-Being for Faculty and Staff

When your institution offers healthcare to faculty and staff through on-campus clinics, it demonstrates a strong commitment to holistic wellness. Employees feel supported—and wellness becomes a shared institutional value.

This approach also reinforces existing well-being efforts, such as:

  • Employee wellness programs
  • Campus mental health initiatives
  • Preventive care campaigns

Strengthens Interdepartmental Relationships

Serving faculty and staff creates more natural engagement between the health clinic and other departments. These touchpoints foster:

  • Increased communication across campus
  • More frequent and effective referrals
  • Greater collaboration and buy-in for student health initiatives

By being part of the care ecosystem for all campus members, your clinic becomes a central resource for students and the wider campus community.

Supports Expansion of Services and Staffing

Extending services to employees can help justify:

  • Hiring additional clinical staff
  • Investing in new equipment or telehealth platforms
  • Expanding evening or weekend hours

Demand growing beyond the student population may provide the data and use cases needed to advocate for clinic growth.

Enhances Public Health Efforts on Campus

Faculty and staff are an ideal audience for preventive health programs. Expanding services to employees allows clinics to:

  • Promote flu or COVID-19 vaccination clinics
  • Offer health screenings like blood pressure or cholesterol checks
  • Increase participation in seasonal wellness initiatives

Offers Continuity of Care in a Familiar Setting

For many employees—especially those working closely with students—an on-campus clinic is already a trusted space. By formalizing services for faculty and staff:

  • Care becomes more accessible and less intimidating
  • Earlier intervention is more likely
  • Clinical relationships are strengthened across the board

Challenges to Address Before Expanding

Navigating Insurance Billing Complexities

Unlike student health plans, employee benefits often span multiple networks with varying reimbursement rules. To successfully bill for faculty and staff visits, clinics may need to:

  • Contract with new insurance payers
  • Adapt claims processing workflows
  • Train billing staff on commercial insurance codes and timelines

Without these systems in place, clinics risk delays, denied claims, and administrative strain.

Understanding FERPA and HIPAA Compliance Differences

Student health information is protected under FERPA, while employee health records fall under HIPAA. For clinics serving both populations, this distinction can create compliance risks.

To stay aligned with privacy laws, your clinic will need:

  • Clear protocols for managing records
  • Staff training on confidentiality differences
  • Policies to prevent data mishandling across groups

Assessing Current Clinic Capacity

Before expanding, take a close look at how your clinic is functioning today:

  • Are exam rooms regularly booked?
  • Is your staff stretched thin?
  • Are appointment wait times increasing?

If resources are already tight, serving more patients—however well-intentioned—could affect student access and satisfaction. Consider phased growth or infrastructure upgrades first.

Addressing Credentialing and Liability Requirements

Expanding your scope of care often means navigating new provider requirements. Depending on your clinic’s setup, this could include:

  • Obtaining additional state or payer credentials
  • Adjusting malpractice coverage
  • Ensuring privileges align with expanded duties

These details are essential for compliance, provider protection, and the long-term sustainability of new services.

Tailoring Your Strategy by Campus Size

Small Colleges

Pros:
Smaller campuses often have streamlined communication and a tight-knit community. This environment can make faculty and staff more comfortable seeking care through an on-campus clinic.
Cons:
With limited staff and exam room space, small clinics may struggle to scale services. Without the economies of scale of larger institutions, sustaining faculty and staff care year-round may not be feasible.

Large Universities

Pros:
Larger institutions typically have bigger budgets, more facility space, and existing healthcare infrastructure. Thus, this makes it easier to dedicate specific staff or resources to employee care.
Cons:
Coordinating with HR, compliance teams, and other departments can be more complex. Securing buy-in may require aligning across multiple stakeholders and navigating institutional bureaucracy.

Community Colleges

Pros:
Offering services to faculty and staff at community colleges can help reduce health disparities—particularly in rural or underserved regions with limited provider access.
Cons:
Many community colleges don’t yet have formal health centers, making implementation more logistically challenging. Starting small with limited services or partnerships may be the most realistic path forward.

Flexible Models That Support Faculty and Staff Without Overextending

Seasonal or Event-Based Services

Provide targeted offerings such as flu shot clinics, biometric screenings, or health fairs during specific times of year.

This approach:

  • Keeps staffing needs minimal
  • Helps gauge interest from faculty and staff
  • Supports public health initiatives without overextending resources

Referral and Navigation Support

Rather than becoming a full-service care provider for employees, your clinic can offer:

This model builds trust while allowing your clinic to remain student-focused.

Designated Hours or Staff for Employee Care

If your clinic decides to offer year-round care to employees, consider separating visits by:

  • Designating specific appointment blocks for faculty/staff
  • Assigning certain providers to handle employee care

This preserves student access while ensuring employees receive care respectfully and organizationally.

Key Takeaways

There’s no universal model for expanding college health clinics to serve faculty and staff. But with thoughtful planning and a scalable approach, it’s possible to enhance campus wellness, strengthen institutional culture, and extend the reach of your clinic.

Start by asking the right questions about capacity, policy, and demand. Pilot small programs, gather feedback, and scale gradually to ensure success.

Take the next step in your clinic’s growth: Read our guide on optimizing your college health billing processes.

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Health & Wellness Education on Campus

A Smarter Way to Promote Health on Campus

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

What’s on the Wellness Menu?

A Smarter Way to Promote Health on Campus

Imagine this: A student organization reaches out for a presentation on stress management. A week later, a faculty member requests a session on flu prevention. Then, a Resident Assistant asks for something on healthy relationships. By midterm, your health promotion team is drowning in custom requests, duplicating efforts, and struggling to maintain consistency in messaging.

Sound familiar? That’s why having a structured, easy-to-access health education “menu” can streamline your wellness programming and ensure consistent, high-quality outreach across campus.

What Is a Health Education “Menu?”

Call it a menu, a catalog, or a toolkit—whatever fits your style. It’s a comprehensive collection of well-developed wellness and prevention topics, complete with ready-to-use materials and clear guidance for putting them into action.

Furthermore, campus stakeholders—including student groups, faculty, resident assistants, and student leaders—can simply select a topic from this curated catalog, making the entire collaboration process more efficient and effective.

These presentations typically include:

  • Comprehensive slide decks with presenter notes
  • Handouts and resource lists
  • Interactive activities and discussion guides
  • Tabling resources for awareness campaigns
  • Assessment tools to measure impact
  • Training materials for peer educators or co-presenters

Some institutions have expanded this model by empowering peer health advocates or building cross-departmental presenting teams that include staff from Counseling Centers, Recreation Services, and Academic Success offices—creating a more holistic approach to wellness education.

Why It Works

This structured format isn’t just convenient. It can also help your campus accomplish the following:

  • Time Efficiency: Reduce preparation time for presentations after implementing a standardized wellness menu.
  • Message Consistency: Improved clarity and consistency of messaging across multiple campus audiences.
  • Resource Optimization: Campuses can reach more students without increasing staffing levels.
  • Student Satisfaction: Higher satisfaction ratings for structured programs compared to ad hoc presentations.
  • Assessment Quality: Stronger assessment data reported when using consistent programming formats.

Additionally, structured health education menus help institutions:

  • Align programming with recognized wellness frameworks (like the National Wellness Alliance’s Six Dimensions of Wellness and the Okanagan Charter)
  • Support formal partnerships between Counseling Services, Health Services, Student Activities, and Academic Affairs
  • Empower peer health advocates with clear boundaries and well-designed materials
  • Create predictable touchpoints throughout the student experience
  • Facilitate more equitable access to health information across diverse campus populations

P.S. – Need help promoting these resources? Find five unique promotion ideas here.

What to Include in Your Health Education Menu

Additionally, when creating a health education menu for your campus, provide topics that are high-impact, relevant, and easy to deliver. Here’s a foundational list, gathered from health directors like you and based on trends we’re seeing across campuses nationwide:

Core Topics

  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse Prevention
  • Sexual Health & Safer Sex Practices
  • How to Prioritize Sleep Hygiene
  • Nutrition and Mindful Eating
  • Physical Activity & Movement
  • Consent and Healthy Boundaries
  • Cold, Flu, and Infection Prevention
  • Healthy Relationship Skills (romantic and platonic)

Mental Health & Emotional Well-being

  • Burnout Prevention & Stress Management
  • Homesickness & Adjustment to College Life
  • Building Social Connections on Campus
  • Mindfulness & Coping Skills for Anxiety

Academic & Intellectual Wellness

  • Time Management & Focus
  • Study-Life Balance
  • How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Technology

Financial & Occupational Wellness

  • Financial Literacy for College Students
  • Managing Work and School

Optional Add-ons or Series

  • The Six Dimensions of Wellness Series
    • Emotional, Physical, Social, Intellectual, Financial, Spiritual
  • Peer-Led Wellness Circles
  • RA/Faculty Training Modules

Special Format Options

Tired of traditional, sit-and-listen health presentations? These engaging formats make wellness education interactive, hands-on, and more impactful for participants. Explore these workshop series and interactive activity ideas to keep students engaged:

Wellness Workshop Series

  • The Six Dimensions of Wellness Series (Emotional, Physical, Social, Intellectual, Financial, Spiritual): Each session explores one of the six key wellness areas with discussion prompts, activities, and real-life strategies. Great for helping students understand how different aspects of their well-being are interconnected.
  • Peer Relationship Series (progressive skill-building program): This series can focus on communication, conflict resolution, empathy, and setting boundaries. It’s designed to help students navigate friendships, dating, and roommate dynamics with confidence.
  • Mindful Campus Series (progressive mindfulness skill development): Students can learn and practice mindfulness techniques over several sessions, including breathwork, body scans, and grounding strategies. Ideal for stress management and building emotional regulation skills.
  • Body Positive Series (multi-session body image programming): This series explores media literacy, self-compassion, and inclusive wellness messages. Each session builds on the last to foster a healthier relationship with one’s body and appearance.

Interactive Formats

  • Wellness Escape Rooms (interactive problem-solving focused on health topics): Students work together to solve themed puzzles that reinforce key health concepts (like sleep, nutrition, or consent). A fun and immersive way to engage with wellness education.
  • Health Myth-Busting Events (quiz-show formats for groups): This fast-paced, game-style event helps debunk common health misconceptions through team challenges and trivia. Great for RA events, orientation weeks, or classroom takeovers.
  • Wellness Fairs (multi-topic tabling with interactive components): Fairs bring together multiple campus and community partners to offer resources, giveaways, and hands-on activities. Think spin-the-wheel games, smoothie bike stations, or stress ball DIY tables.
  • Peer-Led Wellness Circles (facilitated discussion groups): Small, supportive groups where trained peers guide conversations around mental health, identity, stress, and more. Encourages connection, validation, and shared coping tools.

Tips for Implementation

  • Template Your Materials: Use a consistent slide deck format, a request form, and a follow-up survey.
  • Create a Shared Folder: Make it easy for peer educators and staff to grab handouts, posters, or tabling talking points.
  • Stay Data-Driven: Use attendance tracking and feedback forms to refine your topics and formats each semester.
  • Pilot Before Scaling: Start with the top 5 requested topics, then grow the menu over time.

Key Takeaways

As a campus health leader, your impact goes far beyond delivering one-off programs—you’re shaping a sustainable system that empowers students to thrive, both now and in the future.

When done intentionally, health education has the power to shift campus culture in meaningful ways. Creating a campus-wide health education menu or toolkit isn’t just a means for organization—it’s a strategic step toward a healthier, more engaged student community.

Ready to enhance health and wellness efforts on your campus?
Explore how you can build a more accessible, inclusive, and effective wellness culture on your campus.

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Understanding the Okanagan Charter

Understanding the Okanagan Charter: A Framework for Prioritizing Campus Well-Being

Written by Leyna Weakley on . Posted in Industry Articles.

In recent years, colleges and universities worldwide have prioritized student well-being as an integral part of their mission. Furthermore, not only does investing in wellness programs support student health and satisfaction, but it also offers additional benefits. These extra benefits include improving graduation rates, strengthening institutional reputation, reducing recruitment costs, and boosting student retention.

However, establishing meaningful well-being initiatives that align with academic goals and institutional values can be a complex challenge. Enter the Okanagan Charter, a powerful guiding framework designed to help higher education institutions create, implement, and sustain holistic wellness programs.

Recently, we hosted a webinar with three college health leaders—Dr. Oliver Tacto of Maryville University, Emily Pagano of UConn, and Kelly Gorman of UAlbany— shared insights on best practices for promoting wellness on college campuses. Each of their institutions has committed to the Okanagan Charter, setting an example for how campuses can foster a culture of well-being.

What is the Okanagan Charter?

The Okanagan Charter was created in 2015 at the International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges in Kelowna, Canada. Its goal is to inspire colleges and universities to integrate health into every aspect of campus life. Unlike typical health initiatives, the Charter calls for a comprehensive approach, taking into account the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

The Charter consists of two primary calls to action:

1. Embed Health into All Aspects of Campus Culture:
Colleges should make well-being a core part of campus life, not just through wellness services, but across all departments and activities.
2. Lead Health Promotion Locally and Globally:
Universities are encouraged to engage with local communities, health organizations, and global partners, creating a supportive ecosystem for all involved.

These calls help institutions, like our recent webinar speakers, build environments where students, staff, and faculty feel supported in every part of campus life.

Hear Dr. Oliver Tacto’s take on the Okanagan Charter in the clip below:

Why the Okanagan Charter Matters for Higher Education

In today’s competitive higher education landscape, where the mental health and overall well-being of students are essential, the Okanagan Charter offers universities a holistic framework to create an impactful, inclusive, and sustainable approach to wellness.

Here’s why the Okanagan Charter matters now more than ever:

  • Aligning with Institutional Values: With many students and their families prioritizing well-being when choosing schools, the Okanagan Charter helps colleges establish wellness programs that align with institutional values, strategic plans, and mission statements, strengthening their reputation and appeal.
  • Supporting Mental Health: As the demand for mental health services continues to rise, the Charter provides a pathway for campuses to develop comprehensive support systems that prioritize mental health without limiting their focus to clinical services.
  • Fostering a Supportive Campus Culture: The Charter’s emphasis on embedding health into all aspects of campus life encourages institutions to foster a supportive culture where students, faculty, and staff feel valued and empowered to take charge of their well-being.

P.S. – You can download a copy of the Okanagan Charter here.

Key Principles for Mobilizing Whole-Campus Health Initiatives in Higher Education

Furthermore, the Okanagan Charter lays out guiding principles to help campuses take action toward whole-system health. Following these principles allows institutions to create healthier, more inclusive campus environments.

Key principles that drive the Okanagan Charter’s approach to whole-campus health initiatives include:

  • Using settings and whole system approaches: Focus on holistic, system-wide methods to create healthy conditions in higher education and model health promotion for other settings.
  • Ensuring comprehensive and campus-wide approaches: Implement interconnected strategies for the whole campus.
  • Leveraging participatory approaches to engage the voice of students and others: Set ambitious goals and engage all stakeholders—students, staff, faculty, and leaders—in collaborative, participatory efforts to establish priorities and foster widespread commitment to action.
  • Developing trans-disciplinary collaborations and cross-sector partnerships: Foster collaborations across disciplines and sectors, both on campus and with local and global partners, to drive comprehensive health initiatives and promote health knowledge and action in wider communities.

Hear Emily’s thoughts on what it means to collaborate versus cooperate:

  • Promoting research, innovation and evidence-informed action: Ensure research and innovation provide evidence to shape health policies and practices, enhancing sustainability on campus and in society, while adapting actions based on new findings.
  • Building on strengths: Adopt an asset-based approach to recognize strengths, address challenges, celebrate successes, and share lessons to continuously improve campus health and well-being.
  • Valuing local and indigenous communities’ contexts and priorities: Promote health by engaging with and understanding the contexts and priorities of local and indigenous communities, while considering the perspectives of vulnerable and transitioning populations.
  • Acting on an existing universal responsibility: Uphold the “Right to Health” declared in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by ensuring health promotion actions reflect social justice, equity, dignity, diversity, and the interconnectedness of health with social, economic, and ecological factors.

Key Takeaways

The Okanagan Charter empowers campuses to prioritize holistic well-being by embedding health into all areas of campus life and fostering a supportive community. Incorporating these principles allows colleges and universities to create sustainable wellness initiatives that truly enhance the campus community as a whole.

Gain tips for enhancing wellness from three college health experts here.

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EHR Solutions for Athletic Departments

Bridging the Gap Between Athletic and Wellness Departments on College Campuses

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

In the high-pressure world of college athletics, student-athletes juggle rigorous training schedules, academic responsibilities, and the everyday demands of college life. Ensuring these athletes remain in peak physical condition while maintaining their overall health is no small feat.

This challenge is especially prominent when athletic departments and campus health and counseling centers operate separately. That’s unless…You’re utilizing an integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) system!

EHR solutions offer a seamless, efficient way to coordinate care between departments and ensure that student-athletes receive comprehensive support both on and off the field.

In this blog we’ll cover:
  • The challenges of miscommunication between athletic departments, health centers, and counseling clinics
  • How an EHR can bridge the gap to deliver a better student experience and more coordinated care
  • The critical role of an EHR in supporting both the physical and mental health of student-athletes

The Disconnect Between Athletics and Campus Wellness

Athletic trainers manage student-athlete injuries and performance optimization on many campuses, while campus health centers handle general medical care and counseling handles mental health support.

With these three services operating independently, this makes it difficult to share critical health information that can impact an athlete’s overall well-being. This disconnect can result in delayed or incomplete care and missed opportunities for holistic health management.

The Role of an Integrated EHR in Coordinating Care for Student-Athletes

An integrated EHR platform addresses these challenges by creating a single, unified system that offers multiple benefits, including permission structures to maintain student privacy:

1. Improved Communication Sharing

A comprehensive EHR system allows both athletic trainers and wellness services staff to access shared student records, ensuring everyone involved in a student-athlete’s care is on the same page—but with safeguards in place.

Permission structures within the EHR ensure that only certain types of information or notes are visible to specific staff. For instance, a trainer may access medical history relevant to injuries but won’t see sensitive mental health notes unless permitted. This balance ensures privacy while improving overall care coordination.

Effective coordination among trainers, health services, and counseling services is essential for comprehensive student-athlete care. Here’s how it can look in practice:

  • Trainers can view a student’s medical history before deciding on treatment for an injury.
  • Health services can stay updated on any injuries or physical conditions when providing care.
  • Counseling services can access relevant health information to better support a student’s overall well-being during treatment.

2. Seamless Coordination of Care

When athletic trainers and health services can collaborate through a shared EHR, they can coordinate care more effectively. For example, if an athlete is recovering from a concussion, trainers and wellness professionals can work together to develop a tailored recovery plan. 

This accounts for physical, mental, and academic considerations. With all the information in one place, treatment plans can be updated in real-time, ensuring continuity of care.

3. Enhanced Tracking and Monitoring

An EHR system provides real-time access to data, making it easier to track athletes’ progress, monitor injuries, and manage recovery timelines.

Moreover, health professionals and trainers can quickly identify trends and adjust treatment plans as needed. This tracking is particularly beneficial for preventing recurring injuries or monitoring conditions like stress fractures or overuse injuries.

Hey! If you’re reading this blog, you might also be interested in our other blog, College Athletics and Mental Health. Check it out here.

4. Informed Decision-Making

Whether it’s a decision to return to play after an injury or addressing chronic issues like asthma or anxiety, integrated EHRs empower both athletic trainers and health services to make informed, data-driven decisions.

Furthermore, all clinics having access to comprehensive medical data ensure that student-athletes are not rushed back into play before they are fully ready, reducing the risk of re-injury.

Why Integration Matters for Mental Health

The physical demands of collegiate sports can take a toll on mental health. Anxiety, depression, and stress are common among student-athletes who balance competitive pressures, academic obligations, and personal lives. An integrated EHR streamlines communication and collaboration, improving overall care for student-athletes.

Sharing information on mental health services and treatment plans allows athletic trainers to recognize when an athlete might need extra support. This enables health and counseling services to intervene earlier if mental health issues are affecting athletic performance.

Key Takeaways

Coordinating care between athletic trainers and campus health and counseling centers is critical to ensuring that student-athletes receive comprehensive, holistic care. By implementing an integrated EHR solution, colleges and universities can break down silos, improve communication, and provide better care for their athletes.

And when these departments can seamlessly communicate, student-athletes can perform at their best—both on the field and off.

Want to learn more about how you can bridge the gap between different departments on your campus? Contact us today to see what your options are in helping your campus improve student-athlete care.

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College Health Services

The Role of College Health Services in Managing Complex Health Conditions

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that “more than one-half (53.8%) of adults aged 18–34 years reported having at least one chronic condition, and nearly one-quarter (22.3%) reported having more than one chronic condition.”

Given these significant numbers, college health centers play a critical role in managing complex health conditions among students, such as diabetes and epilepsy. College health centers need to adopt multifaceted strategies to effectively support students’ health and well-being.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the challenges students with complex health conditions encounter and offer practical strategies to help your campus provide them with the best possible college experience.

1. Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with Complex Health Conditions

Students with complex health conditions often struggle with balancing their health needs and academic demands. Frequent monitoring, medication management, and emergency preparedness are key aspects that require robust support systems within college health services.

2. How College Health Centers Can Help

  • Personalized Care Plans: Proactively develop individualized care plans that cater to the specific needs of each student, including regular check-ups and tailored treatment plans. Creating these plans when students identify their health needs is key. Your health center may also consider offering to coordinate with specialists and external resources to ensure comprehensive care.
  • Accessible Resources: Ensure students easily access necessary medical supplies and medications. For those who become newly diagnosed while enrolled as a student, taking the time to provide educational resources can help them manage their conditions effectively. Additionally, clear communication channels should be established for students to reach healthcare providers and support staff for timely assistance and guidance. More information on improving health communication in higher education can be found here.
  • Emergency Protocols: Establish clear emergency protocols and train staff to respond promptly to health crises. Additionally, conduct regular emergency drills and ensure all staff are familiar with students’ specific health needs and emergency response procedures.

3. Creating a Supportive Environment

  • Awareness and Education: Conduct awareness campaigns and educational workshops to inform the campus community about various health conditions and how to support affected individuals. For example, host several events for Arthritis Awareness Month with activities such as informational booths, guest speakers, and practical workshops on managing arthritis pain and joint health.
  • Peer Support Groups: Facilitate peer support groups where students can share experiences and coping strategies. This can be accomplished by establishing a weekly support group for students with chronic health conditions to discuss challenges, exchange advice, and offer mutual encouragement in managing their health.
  • Counseling Center Integration: Ensure that your campus offers counseling services specifically for students with chronic conditions. Proper staff training to treat students with these health issues is crucial to ensure a supportive and understanding environment that fosters their academic and personal growth.

4. Utilizing Technology

  • Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Leverage a comprehensive EHR system to streamline health information management, ensuring accurate and timely access to students’ medical histories, and enhancing coordination between healthcare providers and school staff, facilitating better-informed care decisions.
  • Telehealth Services: Furthermore, you may want to consider implementing telehealth options to provide convenient and flexible care, reducing the need for in-person visits and accommodating students’ busy schedules. This makes health services much more accessible for students with health issues that may prevent them from coming in for an in-person visit. This can also help with reducing the number of no-shows.
  • Health Monitoring Apps: Encourage the use of health monitoring apps that help students track their conditions and communicate with healthcare providers in real-time. This can support proactive health management and empower students to take charge of their well-being as they grow into adulthood.

Discover how Georgia Southern University was able to reduce the number of no-shows at their clinic here.

5. Collaborating with External Resources

  • Specialist Referrals: Establish partnerships with local healthcare providers and specialists to offer comprehensive care beyond what the college health center can provide. For instance, collaborate with nearby cardiologists for students managing hypertension or pulmonologists specializing in asthma to ensure students receive the specialized care they need.
  • Community Resources: Connect students with community resources and support networks to ensure they receive holistic care. This may include collaboration with local diabetes organizations to provide students with access to specialized medical care, nutritional counseling, and peer mentoring programs.
  • Training and Development: Engage in ongoing training and development for health center staff to stay updated on best practices and advancements in managing complex health conditions.

6. Key Takeaways

College health centers are crucial for enhancing college students’ experience. They offer care and resources that empower students to manage their health and excel academically, supporting everything from minor issues like colds and flu to complex conditions such as arthritis and kidney disease. By leveraging technology and collaborating with specialists, these centers ensure students receive holistic care, contributing to a successful college journey.

See how Medicat’s EHR can help improve your clinic’s workflow with a self-guided tour.

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Improving Health Communication

Improving Health Communication in Higher Education

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

(Best Practices and What to Avoid)

We all know what happens when communication breaks down – chaos erupts! Effective health communication is vital for promoting wellness and managing health concerns on college campuses. Understanding and applying best practices in health communication can significantly enhance health services utilization and the overall well-being of the student population.

Let’s dive into the essential elements of effective health communication, the application of health literacy models and plain language guidelines and identify common errors and opportunities for improvement.

Best Practices in Health Communication

1. Know Your Audience

Understanding the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and needs of your student population is crucial. Tailor your messages to address the specific concerns and preferences of different student groups, such as international students, students with disabilities, or those from various cultural backgrounds.

2. Utilize Multiple Channels

Students access information through various channels, including social media, email, campus websites, and physical materials (flyers, bulletin boards, etc.). Ensure your health messages are distributed through multiple platforms to maximize engagement. Use engaging visuals and multimedia content to capture attention and make information more accessible.

Learn more about promoting campus resources through social media here.

3. Be Clear & Concise

Clarity and brevity are essential in health communication. Avoid medical jargon and complex language that may confuse or overwhelm students. Use plain language guidelines to ensure your messages are easily understood. For example, instead of saying “administer medication,” use “take medicine.”

4. Foster Foster Two-Way Communication

Encourage feedback and dialogue with students. Create opportunities for students to ask questions, share concerns, and provide input on health initiatives. This can be done through online forums, in-person events, anonymous surveys, or suggestion boxes. Two-way communication builds trust and ensures that your messages are relevant and effective.

Applying Health Literacy Models and Plain Language Guidelines

Health Literacy Models

Health literacy involves the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information to make informed health decisions. Applying health literacy models can enhance the effectiveness of your communication efforts.

The Health Belief Model (HBM): The HBM can help predict and explain health behaviors by focusing on individuals’ beliefs about health conditions, perceived benefits of action, and barriers to action. Use this model to design messages that address perceived risks and emphasize the benefits of adopting healthy behaviors.

For example, to encourage students to get flu vaccinations, you might highlight the perceived severity of the flu by sharing stories of severe cases and the high risk of contagion in a campus environment.

Simultaneously, emphasize the benefits of vaccination, such as increased immunity, reduced absenteeism, and protection for vulnerable peers and campus staff. Address barriers by providing information on convenient campus vaccination clinics, reducing cost concerns, and dispelling myths about vaccine safety.

The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM): The SEM considers the complex interplay between individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal factors. Use this model to develop multi-level interventions that address various determinants of health and create supportive environments for behavior change.

For example, to encourage college students to take care of their mental health, you could implement individual-level strategies like providing access to online self-help resources and counseling services. At the interpersonal level, facilitate peer support groups and mental health awareness training for student leaders.

Moreover, advocate for policies that reduce academic stress, such as flexible deadlines and mental health days. Community-level interventions might include partnerships with local mental health organizations to provide workshops and resources. Lastly, at the societal level, engage in advocacy efforts to reduce stigma around mental health and promote broader cultural acceptance of seeking help.

Plain Language Guidelines

Plain language guidelines emphasize clear and straightforward communication. Here are some key principles:

  • Use simple words and sentences: Replace complex terms with simpler alternatives. For example, use “high blood pressure” instead of “hypertension.”
  • Be direct: State your main message at the beginning and keep sentences short.
  • Use active voice: Active voice is more engaging and easier to understand. For example, “Wash your hands” is better than “Hands should be washed.”
  • Organize information logically: Use headings, bullet points, and numbered lists to break down information and make it easier to scan.

Common Errors and Opportunities for Improvement

Error 1: Overloading Information

Providing too much information at once can overwhelm students and reduce the likelihood of them retaining key messages. Focus on delivering essential information in manageable chunks.

Opportunity: Prioritize and segment information visually. Use infographics and summaries to highlight key points.

Error 2: Ignoring Cultural Sensitivity

Health messages that do not consider cultural differences may be ineffective or even offensive to some students.

Opportunity: Engage with diverse student groups to understand their perspectives and tailor messages accordingly. Use culturally relevant examples, images, and language.

Error 3: Lack of Visual Appeal

Plain text messages may be ignored or overlooked, especially in today’s visually-driven digital landscape.

Opportunity: Incorporate visuals, such as images, videos, and infographics, to make messages more engaging and easier to understand.

Error 4: Inadequate Follow-Up

Sending out a health message without follow-up can lead to low engagement and missed opportunities for behavior change.

Opportunity: Use automated reminders and follow-up communications to reinforce messages. Provide support to encourage sustained behavior change.

Key Takeaways

Effective health communication on college campuses requires a strategic approach that considers the diverse needs of the student population. By applying health literacy models, adhering to plain language guidelines, and addressing common pitfalls, colleges of all sizes can enhance their communication efforts and promote a healthier campus environment.

Take health promotion a step further on your campus with Strategies to Boost Immunization Rates.

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gen z & Social Media

Health Promotion Through Social Media

Written by Leyna Weakley on . Posted in Industry Articles.

Health Promotion Through Social Media:

Effective Strategies and Best Practices

Social media has become an indispensable tool for promoting health initiatives, especially among Gen Z students. This demographic, born between 1997 and 2012, is the first truly digital native generation, making them a crucial audience for college health campaigns.

Understanding how to effectively leverage social media to connect with Gen Z can significantly enhance your health promotion efforts on campus. Here are some tips, trends, and best practices for colleges to consider.

1. Promote on the Right Platforms

According to Morning Consult’s report, YouTube is the most-used platform for Gen Z, with over 80% spending time on the app. Instagram follows closely in the second spot at 75%, indicating that the platform remains highly popular. TikTok (69%) and Snapchat (63%) are also significant players, demonstrating their continued relevance among Gen Z users.

This stresses the importance of ensuring that your college is utilizing these platforms for health promotion to reach the greatest number of students.

Gen Z Social Media Stats

2. Leverage Influencer Partnerships

Leverage influencer partnerships by collaborating with student influencers or popular figures on campus who resonate with Gen Z. These individuals can provide credible and relatable voices for sharing health messages. Micro-influencers, with their smaller but highly engaged followings, can be especially effective in fostering a sense of community.

Colleges can effectively advertise health promotion initiatives by leveraging YouTube’s extensive reach among Gen Z, creating engaging video content that resonates with students. Additionally, maintaining an active presence on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat with creative and authentic posts will ensure that health messages are seen and embraced by this tech-savvy generation.

3. Utilize User-Generated Content

User-generated content (UGC) is defined as “consumer-generated content.” You can incorporate this on your campus by encouraging students to create content themselves, such as photos, videos, and stories about their experience utilizing health services on your campus.

Schools may also consider launching campaigns with specific hashtags, hosting contests, and highlighting student contributions on their official social media platforms, fostering a sense of community and engagement. (P.S. – this could be great for marketing majors to take part in).

4. Focus on Authenticity and Transparency

According to Forbes, Gen Z highly values authenticity and transparency. Share real stories, and behind-the-scenes content, and be transparent about your mission and values. Avoid overly polished or corporate-sounding messages.

5. Provide Value with Educational Content

Provide value with educational content by sharing tips, tutorials, and educational posts that offer real benefits to your audience. Use features like Instagram Stories’ “Swipe Up” or link stickers to direct followers to additional resources.

For example, one idea could be to create a series called, “Wellness Wednesdays,” where each week, your clinic shares valuable health tips and tutorials on topics like stress management, healthy eating, exercise routines, and mental health awareness.

For example, an Instagram Story might include a short tutorial on how to do a particular mindfulness meditation technique, followed by a swipe-up link directing followers to a detailed blog post or video on the college’s health center website on the topic.

A video on YouTube could showcase a nutritious, budget-friendly recipe with step-by-step instructions and a link directing students to a downloadable meal plan. Access to information about the Basic Needs Hub for students struggling with food insecurity could be included in the video’s caption section.

6. Engage in Real-Time Interactions

Engage in real-time interactions by utilizing live streaming features on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to host health and wellness Q&A sessions, webinars, or live discussions. You may find that more students attend virtually than you would think. Respond promptly to comments and messages to foster a sense of connection and community.

Additionally, colleges can record these live sessions and upload them to their YouTube channel, blog, or website as “evergreen content.”

7. Promote Mental Health Awareness

Gen Z is more open to discussing and addressing mental health than other generations. For instance, less than 3 percent of individuals aged 65 and older have received treatment directly from mental health professionals, whereas over a third of Gen Zers have reported receiving medical treatment or therapy from such professionals.

Continue to promote mental health awareness in new and fun ways by focusing on the wide variety of wellness-related support available on campus. Share content that normalizes seeking help and provides practical mental health tips that students can easily implement in their daily (and busy) lives.

8. Use Data-Driven Insights

Finally, to improve the content you share over time, track key social media metrics like your follower count, impressions, interactions, shares, and comments to understand what content resonates most with your audience. Adjust your strategy based on these insights to continually improve your reach across campus.

Best Practices for Connecting with Gen Z

  1. Stay Current with Trends

    To effectively connect with Gen Z, stay current with the latest social media trends and platform updates. Gen Z quickly adopts new features and trends, so staying updated can help keep your content relevant!

  2. Encourage Interaction

    Encourage interaction by using polls, quizzes, and interactive posts to engage your audience. Interactive content not only boosts engagement but also provides insights into your audience’s preferences and opinions.

  3. Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

    Highlight diversity and inclusion by ensuring that your content reflects a wide variety of voices, perspectives, and stories across your campus community. This creates an inclusive environment and resonates with Gen Z’s values.

  4. Be Consistent

    Be consistent by maintaining a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged. Consistency helps build trust, “feeds the algorithm,” and keeps your content top of mind.

Key Takeaways

Promoting health initiatives through social media is an evolving and dynamic process, especially when targeting the digitally savvy Gen Z.

By understanding their preferences and behaviors, and implementing these best practices, colleges can create impactful and engaging physical and mental health promotion campaigns.

Gain unique tips to promote campus resources to your students by downloading our free guide.

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EHR Software for Counseling Centers

5 Must-Have EHR Software Features for College Health Centers

Written by Medicat on . Posted in Industry Articles.

EHR Software for Counseling Centers

  1. Simple-to-Use Student Portal
  2. Robust Documentation Capabilities
  3. Simplified Practice Management Features
  4. Efficient Clinic Automation
  5. Compliance With Privacy Regulations

College health centers play a crucial role in providing comprehensive care to students. Having the right Electronic Health Record (EHR) software is essential for streamlining operations and enhancing services. In this blog, we’ll delve into five must-have features that every college health center should prioritize when selecting their EHR software.

1. Student Portal

A robust student portal, complemented by secure messaging capabilities, is essential for enhancing access to healthcare services on campus. With features like cloud-based document upload, electronic forms, and automated reminders, students can conveniently submit necessary documents, securely communicate with healthcare providers, and receive timely reminders for appointments or upcoming deadlines. This streamlined process promotes efficiency and ensures that students can easily engage with the healthcare services offered by the health center.

2. Robust Documentation Capabilities

A comprehensive EHR system with robust documentation capabilities is essential for efficient student healthcare management. With features like “drag and drop” form creation, customizable chart layouts, and student case management, healthcare providers can streamline documentation processes and ensure accurate record-keeping.

Additionally, inter-clinic collaboration functionalities enable seamless communication and information sharing between different clinics (including counseling and accessibility services), facilitating coordinated care for students.

3. Simplified Practice Management Features

Efficient practice management is vital for college health centers to deliver quality care to students. EHR software with simplified practice management capabilities, such as seamless integration with the student information system (SIS), customizable calendar views, and automated communication via email and text, reduces administrative burdens and enhances the student experience.

Moreover, built-in reporting tools provide valuable insights into clinic performance, allowing for data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in service delivery. These insights can help clinic leaders demonstrate the impact of student health services to key stakeholders across campus.

For instance, Azusa Pacific University’s success is evident in its ability to provide accurate data in its board and year-end reports. As noted by Gidget Wood, Administrative Director at the University, “Now we can provide accurate numbers … and we can validate our worth in the assessment process.” Implementing effective reporting mechanisms has significantly contributed to their organizational efficiency and credibility.

4. Efficient Clinic Automation

Streamlining clinic operations is essential for college health centers to provide timely and effective care to students. Look for EHR software with efficient clinic automation features, such as ePrescribing, lab order management, and automated notifications for test results. Seamless integration with state registry interfaces and insurance waiver management capabilities further enhances operational efficiency and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

5. Compliance with Privacy Regulations

Ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of student health information is a top priority for college health centers. It’s crucial to choose EHR vendors that prioritize compliance with key privacy regulations like HIPAA and FERPA, while maintaining rigorous standards such as SOC 2 compliance. Features such as role-based access controls and encryption protocols play a vital role in safeguarding student data and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.

Key Takeaways

Prioritizing EHR software with these must-have features can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of services offered by college health centers. With the right technology in place, colleges can optimize operations and provide comprehensive care to students, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being.

Explore how Medicat’s EHR software can transform your college health center’s operations with a guided demo of our software today! self-guided tour.

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