Abstract
Background.
Health promotion in Norwegian schools has been given higher priority through participation in «The European Network of Health Promoting Schools» (ENHPS) during 1994–1998. The aim of the present study is to identify how the Norwegian ENHPS project has influenced the collaboration between the school and the school health service.
Material and methods.
The data steem from 11 qualitative interviews with school co-ordinators (teachers) and school nurses. A semi-structured interview guide was employed and the conversations were taped. The interviews were systematically analysed with a hermeneutical approach.
Results.
Four modes of collaboration were identified: 1) When the school included the school health nurse and she was perceived to be available, the collaboration developed positively. 2) When the school wanted to include the school nurse in their work and she was not available, the collaboration stagnated. 3) When the school nurse was available, but not included in the school activitetes, the collaboration developed negatively. 4) when the school did not include the school nurse, and she was not available, no collaboration took place.
Interpretation.
The key elements for improved collaboration seem to be the schools' inclusion of the school health service and the availability of the service to participate in health promoting planning and action.