A few days ago, a mother told me about the anxiety she was feeling because her only child was leaving for college in August. She felt unprepared for the separation, saying "It seemed so far away" The college was only 600 miles away, but the mother was already dreading an "empty nest." The mother was married and worked full-time, so she was much more fortunate than a single parent mother or father, whose only child was going away to school. She asked if I had any medical advice since her daughter suffered from asthma.
I told the mother what I have always advised parents who have a college-bound child. Because of some bad experiences my former patients have had with student health services and some reports in the literature, I always suggest finding a community based physician who will be available if there is a need. I have done this for my own children and my grandchildren.
Now tht two prestigious colleges are being or have been sued for the deaths of two students, I suspect the colleges are changing how they provide medical care to their college students. At least I hope so. The two students received greatly inadequate care from nurse practitioners and were never referred to physicians.
I am sure there are some excellent student health services, but having had to drive a considerable distance to see a former patient in a college dormitory and immediately call for an ambulance, I must admit I worry.
College students often feel very lonely leaving home for the first time, may drink too much, or have great anxiety. it is better to anticipate problems and be prepared, rather than have regrets.
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