STUDENT HEALTH SCHEME

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25548, 16 July 1948, Page 6

STUDENT HEALTH SCHEME

RESULTS OF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS s DEFECTS IN 78 PER CENT/ f OF CASES 3 Of 282 students (223 males and 59 females) medically examined at Canterbury Un. versity College on the inauguration of the students’ healths scheme, 78 per cent, had weaknesses requiring treatment. These were recorded for 179 males and 31 females. All detailed information on those en- *• rolled in the scheme is entirely confidential and names do not appear on record cards; but the controlling committee has made this report to indi-'; cate the value of the project in detect- •_ ing complaints and recommending remedial treatment. Medical and physical welfare officers interested in tne scheme consider that its introduction has been justified by five cases alone where serious conditions were found. Other results confirmed the value of the plan. Eye defects were found in 32 students, representing 11.3 per cent, of those examined. Correction of skin troubles was recommended in 25 cases, and there were a fair proportion of posture and allied weaknesses. Remedial exercises were required in 27 cases. Dental defects at .7 per cent, appeared few. Weaknesses (many of them minor) were found in 210 of the 282 students examined. “The need is very apparent for rou* tine chest X-ray examinations, a permanent consulting service, and followup tests to check on treatments,” the report says. “The examination has emphasised the need for some scheme of student health education.” This is an attempt to pioneer a field of preventive medicine, the report says. The scheme was intended to provide an initial medical inspection, advice on disabilities and their treatment, and an opportunity for students to discuss health problems. For a start this year, all first-year students, hostel residents, and others interested were urged to enrol on an entirely voluntary basis. Medical histories were compiled and the examinations were made by a panel of doctors (women doctors being available for women students) who gave their services voluntarily. The times taken over each student varied from 15 to 60 minutes. Abnormalities discovered were discussed with th*students, who were advised on treatment to be secured from the family doctor or one of their choice. Remedial exercises and games are provided in the college gymnasium, which has been renovated, fullyequipped, and has a regular physical education officer.