Rumors, myths unfounded at IU Health Center

When it comes to rumors concerning the IU Health Center on campus, students have probably heard them all. \nAllegations range from "they don't have real doctors, only nurse practitioners" to "they never really examine you, they just give you a Z-Pack (a packet of the antibiotic zithromax)." Many students who have never personally visited the IUHC hold an unsatisfactory opinion of the care that it provides. \n"My roommate doesn't like to go to the center, and I don't care too much for school doctors or practitioners," said junior Tiara Goins.\nHugh J. Jessop, director of the Health Center, is anxious to dispel such gossip. He said he recognizes the less than exceptional reputation of the center among some students and he believes such feelings are unwarranted. Jessop maintains that most of the rumors originate from sororities, fraternities and freshmen, among others. \n"Most with that feeling have never even been in the building; they tend to be from sororities or fraternities and have limited experience seeking health care of any type on their own," he said. "This may also be true of some freshmen."\nJessop said he singles out greeks because of "urban legend."\n"They have people come in as freshmen into the houses. They have stories about all types of things on the campus and lore makes them part of what they teach the new initiates," he said. "So, each year the sophomores through seniors tell their stories which proliferates what they believe."\nBut some greeks disagree with Jessop's claims. Sophomore Justin Boyd, a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, said though he has never gone to the Health Center, he has never told anyone else to not use its services. \n"People like it because they use it to get an excuse to get out of class, but we don't tell people not to go," he said.\nFreshman Will Hurrle, who is pledging Acacia fraternity, said he has already attended the Health Center twice and was never told anything bad about it from greeks.\nSources of rumors aside, many who work at the center feel these rumors can actually bring about some good if they are discussed. \n"People are surprised to know that we have real physicians that are highly credentialed with lots of experience," said Anne Reese, director of Health and Wellness Education. \nThe center boasts eight full-time physicians (not including psychologists), two part-time physicians, one part-time physician assistant, five full-time nurse practitioners, one part-time nurse practitioner and one certified nurse midwife.\nThe Center's use of nurse practitioners, instead of only physicians, is one of the sources of this uneasiness some students feel about going there. While patients are given the chance to request either, nurse practitioners have many years of schooling. The Health Center employs only those who, after obtaining a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing, go on to get their master's. \nPractitioners are granted the authority to write prescriptions, and some patients even prefer their care over that of doctors because price breaks can be given. Often, more time and additional care are provided by practitioners, all for a lesser charge, said Nancy Macklin, director of nursing at the Center. \nFor those who make the claim that Z-Packs are mass-distributed, an explanation of the drug can help to justify its popularity. Head pharmacist Cheryl Thomas said Z-Pack is a frequently prescribed antibiotic because it is a broad-spectrum drug, meaning it is capable of working against a number of different bacterial infections. \nShe said it is used at the center a lot because they see lots of "atypicals," and this specific drug covers many of them. \nLong waiting periods are another frequent complaint students have of the Health Center. To those who claim that a visit to the center requires too long of a wait, Reese said this usually applies just to walk-ins.\n"A walk-in does require a longer wait, and this seems to define if the person is happy or not," she said. "The appointments are more controlled and you get more time with the provider, but if you are sick and need to see someone, you can do that." \nJessop advises coming to the Center at an "off" time of the day. The center is busiest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the flu season (typically January to March), and on Mondays. The average wait time, reported by students, is 30 minutes for 75 percent of walk-ins, and the center treats about 275 to 300 patients a day.\n"I want to know where these bad feelings came from -- probably those who have never been here and listen to college myths," Reese said. "I encourage them to seek out services and see how things go." \nReese and Jessop maintain the Health Center is open to receiving complaints as well as compliments. Surveys can be filled out about personal service, and complaints can be filed at any time. Yet not all students feel that the complaints are necessary. \n"It's a really good resource on campus, especially for students who are new to the health care scene or from out-of-town," said junior Seth Davidson. \n-- Contact staff writer Kimberly Laughlin at kmlaughl@indiana.edu.