- Ontario Tech University has established international student wellness checks that provide a comprehensive check-up and referrals to specialists as needed on campus. Services are offered in multiple languages and allow students to get connected to on-campus health services early in their time on campus and to familiarize themselves with available resources.
Healthcare
International students may struggle to access healthcare services both on campus and in the community due to a variety of factors, including difficulty navigating the healthcare options available, misunderstanding their insurance coverage, and learning a new system that may differ from their home community.
To ensure that students are supported in accessing timely and effective healthcare, service providers should have a baseline knowledge of the provincial healthcare system, including which healthcare concerns can be addressed by an on- or off-campus walk-in clinic, how to access an Emergency Department, and what to expect when attending the hospital for medical care. Accessing on-campus healthcare can also be beneficial for students who require documentation for medical illness if they have missed academic work, or if they are seeking verification of disability to access Accessibility Services on campus.
Support staff on campuses should also understand the healthcare provided at the institution so that students can be referred to appropriate support as proactively as possible. They should also be able to provide information to students about counselling and mental health support, including crisis services available in the local catchment area.
For more information, please refer to this infosheet.
SPOTLIGHT
Recommendations
- Ensure that service providers have a baseline knowledge of the provincial healthcare system – Including what is covered by UHIP or any other private insurance used by the institution.
- Example: This includes educating service providers on which healthcare concerns can be addressed by an on- or off-campus walk-in clinic, how to access an Emergency Department, what types of identification will be accepted and what to expect when attending the hospital for medical care.
- Support staff on campuses should also understand the healthcare provided at the institution
- Example: This includes ensuring that staff have the relevant information to educate students about the available counselling and mental health support, including crisis services available in the local catchment area.