Student Health Services sees major changes

By: Binta L. Dixon

Posted: 11/20/08

The ECU Student Health Services center has seen some major changes in the current 2008-2009 academic year.

The first modification came with the implementation of its open access and online appointment scheduling. Open access means that a student must wait until the day of to schedule most appointments.

Students can only schedule pap smears, physicals, allergy shots, massage therapy and nutrition appointments in advance. Students can log in to the SHS Web site to schedule an appointment.

Times and dates, as well as physicians available for the specified times are listed for students to select. Students must also categorize the nature of their visit.

This system was implemented to scale down the number of calls coming into SHS and to accelerate the appointment process. However, appointments can still be made by phone or in person at the center.

Many students feel that this process is more efficient.

"When I went into SHS, they were really nice and easy to talk to, and I was in and out in less than an hour," said Liz Gurkin, a freshman education major.

However, other changes to the system have students concerned.

The urgent care system provided by SHS has been replaced with a triage service, which is only open during regular business hours and for limited hours on weekends.

"I just want to know what will happen if someone has a really urgent health issue while on campus," said freshman geology major, Rose Bobbit. "It would make me feel a lot safer if I knew I could just go to SHS."

There is an after hours nurse available to answer questions and make recommendations for proper care but students are encouraged to visit the emergency room at Pitt County Memorial Hospital or call 911 for emergencies.

Other changes to health care policies are set to take effect in the fall 2009 semester. A required insurance policy is anticipated to be enacted statewide, however has not been confirmed. This has many students worried that they will not be eligible to enroll next year.

"I think that they should come up with a more reasonable plan, so all students have a chance," said Natara Peele, a communications major.

According to Shawnte McMillan, health educator at SHS, under the current policy any student can come to SHS because they have paid their fees for the service.

"If you have your own insurance through your parents you can keep it, you don't have to buy it, though ECU supplies it," McMillan said regarding the possible new policy.

With these substantial adjustments in mind, SHS is attempting to make these changes, and all of their services, as convenient as possible.

The center offers a comment and suggestion box located in the lobby of the facility as well as online. They hope this will ensure that students' voices are heard concerning services provided and methods used to better help students and staff.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.