Policies & Forms

The purpose of this policy is to reduce the misuse and abuse of medications used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) and to provide consistent recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment.

Medications called stimulants (e.g., Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine) are considered Schedule II medications by the Food and Drug Agency. Schedule II medications are “drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence” and are commonly used in the treatment of ADD/ADHD.

While these medications can have a meaningful impact on individuals with a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, without extensive assessment and appropriate medical oversight, stimulant medications can lead to addiction, psychosis and serious cardiovascular side effects.

All students who wish to be treated with stimulants at the GSU Student Health Clinic (SHC) will need to provide records from their provider that document a diagnosis of ADHD based on neuropsychiatric testing, the breadth of testing, and a clear definitive diagnosis consistent with testing results. A previous prescription history without a testing report is NOT adequate. The information used to come to this diagnosis must be consistent with the Georgia Board of Regent’s criteria for accepting outside evaluation documentation – ADHD:

• A developmental history of symptoms of ADHD
• Documentation of current symptoms that meet the DSM-V diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association
• Documentation of both childhood and current adult behavior on rating scales of ADHD symptoms that have appropriate age norms
• Corroboration of current ADHD symptoms across multiple settings by two independent observers with knowledge of the student's functioning
• Clear evidence and documentation of interference with developmentally appropriate academic, social, or vocational functioning
• All other psychiatric or medical disorders which may cause problems with inattention are differentially evaluated, documented, and considered in the differential diagnosis.
• Assessment on which the documentation is based must have been completed no more than three years prior to the student's application for accommodations OR must have been completed as an adult (18 years old or older) to be considered current.
  Without comprehensive evaluations, the GSU SHC will not provide stimulant medication.

Students must also agree sign a long-term controlled substance agreement, which describes the conditions under which they will receive this medication, what monitoring entails, and reasons for termination of treatment.

Students may be prescribed subcutaneous immunotherapy, also known as allergy injections, by a specialist to control their allergic response. The Student Health Clinic will store and administer the allergy serum initiated by an allergist. The clinic will not initiate allergy injections. Students must schedule their first visit with a provider for a health assessment. Subsequent visits for the injections can be with a clinic nurse. Students must remail in the clinic for 20 to 30 minutes for observation. The clinic stocks emergency medication (e.g., Epi Pen).

If a student does not keep appointments to receive their medication as ordered, staff members will follow the orders from the allergist for missing doses. If the student has missed many doses, the staff member will call the allergy office and report the situation. The allergy office staff will give the clinic staff new orders. The student will be notified of the new orders and will resume doses accordingly.

It is the responsibility of the student to pick up their medication when school is out for any kind of break, so they can continue taking their medication at their allergist office.

Students are eligible to be seen in the Student Health clinic if they are currently enrolled in classes and have paid the health fee associated with their campus. Students in certain situations (e.g., online only) are not required to pay the health fee but can choose to do so they can be seen in the clinic. To pay the health fee, please contact Student Financial Services.

Excuse notes will be written for illnesses or injuries that are too severe or contagious for students to attend class, in accordance with the Georgia State Student Code of Conduct. Excuses will only be written for problems and/or illness that the student was seen in clinic for. Excuse notes will not be written for problems for which the Student Health Clinic (SHC) providers do not provide care. For example, if a student received care from his or her primary care provider for an illness, the excuse note should be requested from that provider, not an SHC provider.

In general, an excuse note is written for the day the student was seen. However, additional days in the future may be added to the excuse note if the provider deems it necessary, for the wellbeing of the student and others. The provider may (and is encouraged to) add restrictions or functional limitations to the excuse note. No confidential information will be stated on an excuse note. Excuse notes will only be written by the provider that saw the student.

Students are encouraged to plan their appointments around their class schedules. No excuse will be given for well visits, i.e., clinic visits for which the student has no symptoms, such as Study Abroad Physicals, Self-physicals, Well Women’s exam, etc.

Students under the age of 18 must provide parental/guardian permission to be treated at the Student Health Clinic. Please click on the link below to find the consent form which can be returned to the clinic in person or by FAX.

In order to ensure that everyone is seen in a timely manner, we need strictly enforce our late policy. Appointments are automatically cancelled is the student has not checked in within 10 minutes after their appointment start time. Students are strongly encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early for their appointment and to contact the clinic when they are running late. Providers have the discretion to override the automatic cancellation if it will not interfere with their other scheduled appointments.

Effective: 07-01-2016

The Georgia State Clinic recognizes the importance of basic rights of all patients. At the same time, GSU Clinic has the right to expect reasonable and responsible behavior on the part of patients, their relatives and friends. The following rights and responsibilities of patients are, therefore, considered reasonable and Georgia State Clinic will endeavor to protect the same.

Rights of Patients

• To be afforded impartial access to treatment regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, handicap condition or age and to be treated with respect and dignity at all times.
• The right to change providers and participate in decisions regarding his/her care.
• To wear appropriate personal clothing and religious symbols, as long they do not interfere with treatment or diagnostic procedures.
• To be interviewed and examined in privacy and to have someone of the patient’s own gender present if requested.
• To expect that his or her care and treatment be handled in confidence and that his or her medical record will be read only by authorized individuals.
• To expect that the clinic practices and environment are reasonably safe at all times.
• To know the identity of all persons providing service to him or her and the identity of the physician who is primarily in charge or his or her case.
• To expect complete and current information concerning his or her diagnosis (if known), treatment and prognosis in understandable terms.
• To expect that diagnostic procedures or treatments will be performed only with consent.
• To request, at his or her own expense, a consultation with a specialist.
• To refuse treatment with the understanding that the clinic-patient relationship may be terminated with reasonable notice and to refuse transfer to another facility.
• To request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of his or her bill.
• To initiate a complaint at any time during the course of treatment and to expect that it will be reviewed and resolved, if possible, in a reasonable period of time.
• To have pain assessed and managed and to have information about pain and pain relief measures.

Responsibilities of Patients

• To provide accurate and complete information about current complaints, past illnesses, medications and financial status.
• To comply with all clinic rules and regulations, to follow the orders of providers and to be responsible for his or her own actions and outcomes if he or she refuses treatment or does not follow instructions.
• To assure that the financial obligations of healthcare are fulfilled promptly.
• To be considerate of the rights of others and assist the Student Health Clinic in controlling noise, the number of visitors allowed and any other distractions which may affect patient care.
• To accept responsibility for all personal property and valuables brought into the clinic.
• To ask his or her doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management, discuss pain relief options with his or her doctor or nurse, ask for pain relief when pain first begins, help the doctor and nurse measure his or her pain and tell the doctor and nurse if his or her pain is not relieved.
• To report any risks in his or her care and any unexpected changes in his or her health condition.
• To help the clinic improve services by providing feedback about healthcare needs and expectations.

The clinic does not accept cash payment for services. Students can make payments with debit or credit cards. The following cards are accepted for payment: American Express, Discover, Master Card and Visa.

In accordance to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we are required are required to obtain the written permission of the student or their representative in order to release their health information to an external entity. Students can indicate individuals or agencies they provide us permission to discuss their medical information with. Please click on the link below to find the consent form which can be returned to the clinic in person or by FAX.

• Consent to Disclose Health Information
• Release of Medical Information
• Consent of Release of Health Information by Grady Hospital

We follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for immunizations and other preventive health measures for international travel.

Students needing study abroad medical clearance can schedule appointments in person, by phone, or via the online patient portal within 6 months to 7 days before travel. For earlier evaluations, the students will be asked to return to be seen if their medical situation changes.

Students must provide a copy of the program description, including itinerary and accommodations. This information should be accessible to the student at www.mystudyabroad.gsu.edu. It is acceptable for them to show providers this information on a cellular device, laptop, or other device.

If the provider determines that there are current health issues that may be exacerbated during the trip or if they are not currently controlled, we will require specialist clearance before the student can get clearance for travel.

We are not responsible for making recommendations for travel outside of the program itinerary, but if the student plans on completing additional travel, providers are encouraged to include this in the assessment, recommendations, and documentation.

We do not fax study abroad documents to the study abroad office. Instead, students are asked to hand in the documentation themselves.

Study Abroad Health Clearance Form