What are the different kinds of Medical Inspection?

To make medical inspection effective there should be provision of a school dispensary, but it is difficult to setup different dispensaries in different schools. For this a general school dispensary should be setup.

A doctor, compounder, or a nurse can be appointed in the dispensary. This should be related to public health department, so that it prevents infectious diseases and helps in maintaining hygiene.

Kinds of Medical Inspection

There are two kinds of medical inspections in the schools, they are as follows:

A. General Inspection:

By general inspection we mean the medical inspection, which is performed daily, or once a week by a general physician or class teacher. The reason for this is that it is not possible for a specialist to examine each and every child daily.

It is the duty of the class teacher, P.T. teacher, and health science teacher to recognise the symptoms such as feeling of laziness, no interest in work, headache, loss of weight, lack of concentration, and no desire to eat so that advice of the doctor can be taken and treated.

B. Specific Inspection:

By specific inspection we mean those inspections in which a specialist examines a child suffering from a specific disease, or a weak child. For this the specialist frequently visits the school and treats the child’s illness. Some special inspections are performed on special occasion.

1. First Inspection:

First inspection is performed at the time of admission. This inspection should be performed in the presence of parents and guardians. In this Inspection special attention should be paid to the physical deformities and hygiene.

2. Second Inspection:

Second inspection should be performed when the student goes to a higher class. This inspection is carefully performed in the presence of the teacher. In this inspection complete medical check up of the student is done.

3. Third Inspection:

Third inspection is performed when the child enters adolescence. Its main objective is to find out the extent of change in a child’s health.

4. Fourth Inspection:

This inspection is performed when the child is leaving the school to find out the impact of school life on the health of the child.

Medical Inspection Report

The findings of each inspection must be recorded so as to indicate comparative state of health during different stages of growth and development. Issue one copy to the parents and retain one copy in the school.

Following is a suggested format of the medical inspection report form: –

Other Essentials of Medical Inspection

1. If a child is found to be suffering from any disease, his parents should be advised to have him treated. However, the school may take the responsibility of treatment of poor children.

2. Medical Inspections should be done in the school premises.

3. Inspections should be proper and thorough, and not just for the sake of record.

4. Should there be a need; the post inspection treatment must follow immediately/ as early as possible.