C:\Epi_Info\OUT37.htm

Student Health Advocates Survey
January 2006

The Fronske Student Health Advocates conducted a convenience survey on January 26 in the University Union. Two hundred forty four students participated in the survey. This study assessed students' awareness of Fronske services, support for the health center fee, opinions about support for an increased health center fee by health center users and non-users. Students who used the health center (users) were asked to rate the quality of service the last time they visited the health center, which services they used, and the type of health care coverage plans they have.  Students who reported not using the health center (non-users) were asked why they didn't use the health center.

Fronske Non-User vs. User Surveys

Demographic Information

As expected, women surveyed were more likely to use the health center compared to men.

Gender

User Non-User

 Gender:

Frequency

Percent

Male

55

42.6%

Female

74

57.4%

Total

129

100.0%
 Gender: Frequency Percent
Male7263.2%
Female4236.8%
Total114100.0%

Years at NAU

As a measure of class standing, students were asked to indicate their number of years at NAU. First year students were the largest group of users and non-users of the health center. Almost 80% of surveyed non-users were first year students at NAU.

User  Non-User
 Years at NAU: Frequency Percent
14635.4%
23023.1%
33325.4%
41410.8%
5 or more75.4%
Total130100.0%
 Years at NAU: Frequency Percent
19078.9%
21513.2%
354.4%
432.6%
5 or more10.9%
Total114100.0%

Residence Status

A large majority of students participating in this survey were on-campus residents. This likely occurred because the survey was conducted in the union next to the Union Station food service that is heavily patronized by freshmen on-campus students using the mandatory meal plan.

 User    Non-User
 Residence Status: Frequency Percent
On Campus10278.5%
Off Campus2821.5%
Total130100.0%
 Residence Status: Frequency Percent
On Campus9785.8%
Off Campus1614.2%
Total113100.0%

Insurance Status

Eighty-five percent of students surveyed reported having a health insurance plan. A small percentage (4.4%) of non-users reported not knowing if they have health insurance.

User Non-User
 Are you insured? Frequency Percent
Yes11185.4%
No1914.6%
Total130100.0%
 Are you insured? Frequency Percent
Yes9785.1%
No1210.5%
Unsure54.4%
Total114100.0%

Age

The median age was 20 years for students who reported using the health center and 19 years for those who did not use the center.                 

Students were asked about their knowledge of the types of services provided at the health center. The table below shows the percentage of respondents by user status who said they were aware of the particular service offered at the health center.

Services Known to Students

Service % of Users % of Non-user
Lab work 73.8 36.0
X-ray 74.6 43.0
Pharmacy 81.5 55.3
Allergy injection 48.5 36.0
Immunizations 77.7 60.5
Health education 54.6 37.7
Mental health 38.5 30.7
Urgent illness 63.8 54.4
Physicals/exams 72.3 60.5
Accident care 53.1 42.1
Massage therapy 33.8 20.2
Dietary advice 34.6 21.9
GYN services 43.1 21.1
Sports injury 56.9 57.0

Last Use

About 15% of student users indicated the last time they used the health center was in January 2006; 64.6% reported using the center in fall 2005; 16.2%, before fall 2005; and 4.6% couldn't remember when they last visted Fronske.

Service Quality

Ninety-three percent of student health center users reported the service being good to excellent. Seven percent said the service was fair. None reported poor service.

Services Quality
  Excellent (%) Good (%) Fair (%) Poor (%)
Appointment service
42.6
50.4
7.0
0.0
Waiting time
31.5
44.4
22.6
1.6
Provider visit
48.8
42.3
5.7
3.3
Overall experience
38.7
54.0
3.2
4.0

Reasons for Fair to Poor Visit Experience

Health Center Services Use

Percentage of Students Using Services
Services Percent Using
Pharmacy
52.3
Lab work
40.8
Routine physical/exams
35.4
Immunizations
30.8
Urgent illness
28.5
X-ray
22.2
Accident care
15.4
GYN
12.3
Health Education
10.8
Sports injury
8.5
Dietary advice
6.4
Mental health
6.2
Allergy injections
3.8
Massage therapy
2.3

Recommending Fronske to Others

Over Ninety-three percent (93.4%) of students who used the health center said they would recommend the health center to other students?

Reasons for Recommending Fronske

The most common reasons for recommending the center to others are convenience, low cost, quality staff, and quality service. All recommendations comments are listed below.

Reasons for Recommending Fronske
  • always helpful dr nelson, knox, & head of dept
  • Campus location is convenient
  • cheap
  • cheap care but gets things done
  • cheap, fast service, competent people
  • close
  • close and convenient
  • close and convenient. people are helpful
  • close and easy
  • close and good
  • close and good if you need quick care
  • close and we pay for it
  • close by, helpful, convenient
  • close, great service, great care
  • convenience
  • convenience and price
  • convenient
  • convenient and good service
  • convenient and reliable
  • convenient and staff is friendly
  • convenient and theyre knowledgable
  • convenient if you don't have doctor in flagstaff
  • convenient, cheap, nice people
  • convenient, good care for students
  • doctors are kind
  • easy
  • easy and close on campus
  • easy and convenient
  • easy to get to & easy for students to use
  • easy to use
  • easy, convenient, nice people
  • exceptional service and friendly staff
  • friendly & knowlegable doctors; helpful secretaries
  • good experience, easy and convenient
  • good idea because its on campus and easy
  • good place and cheaper than a hospital
  • good service
  • good service at decent price
  • good value
  • great
  • great service for students
  • helps you out fast
  • hospital more b/c of insurance, fronske follow ups
  • if youre not feeling well you should find out why
  • it provides needed services
  • it was decent
  • its good
  • its great
  • more convenient than going to hospital
  • nice people, excellent service
  • on campus and available to all students
  • on campus and easy
  • on campus cheap and easy. nice and friendly people
  • price
  • quality care
  • quick and easy service, great options for students
  • quick, on campus, convenient
  • really helpful and close to everything on campus
  • recommend the pharmacy
  • right on campus
  • right on campus, helpful staff
  • service is excellent
  • service was good, effective
  • the care was good and the people were nice
  • the doctors were good
  • the pharmacy is awesome
  • they are great
  • they can provide many resources to help illnesses
  • they treat the basic things for lower cost than others
  • they were helpful
  • very close and easy
  • very friendly and understanding
  • very helpful and good for every student to utilize
  • very helpful and workers are friendly
  • very reasonable and convenient for oncampus students
  • with Gold Plan you get unlimited visits

Some students who used the health center (6.6%) reported not having a good experience at Fronske. Their reasons for not recommending the health center to other students are:

Health Care Plans

Most students using the health center (81%) reported having some type of coverage. 13.1% said they had no insurance, and 11.5% were unsure of their coverage.

Health Care Plans
Plan %
Gold Plan
34.4
Private insurance
32.0
Not insured
13.1
Unsure of insurance status
11.5
Blue Plan
5.7
AHCCCS
4.9
United Health Care
4.1

Reasons for Not Using Fronske

Non-users were asked why they don't use the health center. The two main reasons for not having used the health center were that they didn't have a medical problem or they had a private doctor. Seven percent said the health center had a bad reputation.

Reasons for Not Using Fronske
Reasons %
Haven't needed medical attention 70.2
Have a private family doctor 36.8
Too costly 8.8
Bad reputation 7.0
No Health Insurance 2.6

Perception of Fee Cost

All surveyed students (users and non-users) were asked, "Is the Fee Reasonable?" A large majority of students responded yes to the question. See the table below.

Is the fee reasonable?

Frequency

Percent

Yes

209

90.1%

No

11

4.7%

Unsure

12

5.2%

Total

232

100.0%

The majority of those said the fee was reasonable cited the main reason as affordability. All comments are listed as follows.

  • $15 is not that much
  • $15 is nothing
  • affordable health care is a good idea
  • affordable. students should pay to go to doctor
  • better than costs at other places
  • can use it when I need it
  • cheap
  • cheap & gives at least some benefits to those in need
  • cheap and can get help if you need it
  • cheap and helps all students
  • cheap compared to doctor's visit
  • cheap compared to other campuses
  • cheap fee and good health center
  • cheap for all that they offer
  • cheaper fee
  • cost is much better than insurance on your own
  • could pay this
  • covers everyone to some extent
  • decent for everyone
  • directly affects the student body
  • doctor cost & expenses are reduced b/c of on-campus care
  • every student needs health service
  • every student needs inexpensive health care
  • everyone has access to it
  • fair amount
  • fair amount for appropriate care
  • Fee cheap compared to tuition. Health service is important.
  • fee is negligible to persons health & academic success
  • fee isn't any more than other doctors
  • good deal
  • good if student needs it
  • good price
  • good price for semester long health care
  • good services with decent cost
  • good thing because anyone can get care
  • health care is expensive
  • health insurance is $300/mo. for a year
  • helps subsidize cost of drugs; good prices & best staff
  • I get sick a lot
  • if everyone has health care, we're a healthier campus
  • if I need it I will use it
  • important service
  • inexpensive
  • inexpensive compared to other health care providers
  • it keeps center operating smoothly
  • it keeps it up and running just in case
  • its a nice health center & they are good
  • its about $100 anywhere else if you are uninsured
  • its cheap
  • its cheaper than going to other doctors
  • its just really helpful
  • its not that much
  • its only $15
  • its worth it
  • less than a regular doctor
  • little pay for much care
  • low enough cost for cheap health care
  • low fee for less fortunate to receive the same care
  • low price, high quality
  • medicine is expensive for students
  • might come in handy
  • most people don't have a doctor at NAU
  • much cheaper than usual
  • my wife uses it
  • need to pay doctors
  • no one will really notice the fee
  • not a lot of $
  • not as expensive as co-pay
  • not bad
  • not much for what we are getting
  • not that expensive
  • not too high
  • not too much
  • not too much if I don't need it, reasonable if I do
  • not too much to pay for good service
  • only $15
  • only $15 compared to tuition in excess of $7000
  • only pay $15 for a $50 job
  • only$15
  • people need health care
  • please don't increase fees any more
  • reasonable fee
  • reasonable range of payment
  • relatively inexpensive
  • shared costs help state
  • small amount for health care
  • small price to pay for on campus health care
  • splitting cost among many keeps cost low
  • student should be able to receive services if they want
  • students will be able to go if already paying
  • sure
  • that's low
  • that's the average co-pay
  • the insurance works for me
  • they offer a lot of things, they need to be paid for
  • they support blue cross blue shield. helps with costs
  • very reasonable
  • we all need care
  • you cant complain if its lowering the overall cost
  • you get all the health care

Among those who stated that the fee was not reasonable, students reported the following comments.

One person who was unsure indicated that they did not like to pay for health care

Support for Fee Increase

Students were asked whether or not they supported an increase in the health center fee to improve services. More students responded yes to the question compared to those who didn't support the increase. About 1 in 5 students were unsure.  See table below.

Would you support an increase in the health center fee?

  Frequency Percent
Yes 100 43.5%
No 87 37.8%
Unsure 43 18.7%
Total 230 100.0%

For those who supported a potential fee increase,  these students indicated support for a fee if the fee increase was small, or they appeared to have an awareness about the need for health care support on the campus.  All reasons for support are shown below.

  • $15 is small compared to the rest of tuition and fees
  • a slight increase would be ok
  • as long as it isn't a major tuition increase
  • as long as its reasonable
  • as long as reasonable price & an option
  • better for students
  • better health
  • better health care doesn't hurt
  • better to spread out cost so people can use it if needed
  • but not more than $25
  • college needs good health care
  • could use all the the help I can get
  • depends on amount of expansions/increase in fee
  • easier
  • easy to go on campus for health needs than to Phoenix
  • everyone needs insurance
  • good idea
  • health care should be essential for all students
  • I liked Fronske
  • I need free condoms
  • I will be done in may, but it could help others
  • I wont be here next semester
  • if it was minimal
  • if it would help lower cost then why not
  • I'm full ride
  • included because you wont notice it
  • it helps us and we don't pay for it
  • it's for a good cause
  • it's good
  • it's worth it
  • it's your health
  • more affordable: Lower fees w/ financial aid, not services
  • more convenience for students
  • provided they are opened weekends
  • rather pay lower now than a lot later on
  • some prices need to be dropped
  • sounds like it would only get better
  • that's fine
  • to help support Fronske
  • we all need health care
  • worth the cost to go on campus rather than a hospital
  • would create health plan equal for all students
  • would lower the immediate cost
  • would save everyone money

Students who indicated that they did not support a increase in the fee commented that they can't afford to pay extra fees, that tuition was already costing too much and a fee increase would add to their financial burden, or that they didn't use the health center for various reasons. See all cited comments in the following list.

  • already have Gold Plan
  • already insured. would go to center that accepts ins
  • already pay too much
  • already reasonable
  • cant afford to pay extra fees
  • current fee is reasonable
  • current system satisfactory
  • don't get health care from Fronske
  • don't get sick enough to justify lower costs/visit
  • don't know many people that have had to visit Fronske
  • don't use Fronske
  • don't use Fronske, $15 is good for my everyday use
  • don't use health center
  • don't want my fees to pay for others being sick
  • everyone doesn't use Fronske: why should all pay for it
  • expensive and education is already so expensive
  • have my own insurance
  • haven't and probably wont have to go there enough
  • haven't been sick, shouldn't have to pay to use Fronske
  • haven't needed health care
  • I don't get hurt that much
  • I don't have an NAU plan
  • I don't use Fronske
  • I get the Gold Plan anyway
  • I have separate health care
  • I like my insurance plan
  • if I don't get injured why pay for others
  • if I don't use it, don't want to pay for it until need
  • I'm poor
  • it should be a choice
  • it's already reasonable
  • may not use the services
  • not added to tuition as much, split b/t tuition &plan
  • not everyone uses it
  • not everyone uses the facility
  • not everyone wants it
  • not everyone wants to use this facility
  • not fair if you don't use it much
  • not sick that much & tuition is already going up
  • not sick that often
  • not worth while
  • rarely use, rather pay occasional fee than more tuition
  • right now it is high enough
  • right now the fee is good for all students
  • shouldn't have to pay for everyone's health care
  • some people have private insurance, not fair to them
  • the fee is already enough: People can pay for the extras
  • the services currently provided are adequate
  • they offer almost everything
  • too expensive
  • too much costs for NAU
  • tuition is already being raised
  • tuition is already expensive enough
  • tuition is already too high
  • tuition is high enough as it is
  • we already pay enough
  • we already pay too much
  • you may not need it. More tuition money is not good

For those unsure about fee increases, their most common reason sited was uncertainty of the amount of increase. See list of all the unsure comments.