Health in Austrian compulsory schools from the teachers' perspective: a qualitative study

Background. Health and health promotion play a crucial role at schools in the education of healthy and health-conscious children and adolescents. Teachers face a variety of challenges associated with (school-) health-related tasks.Aim. The aim was to explore challenges, tasks and fields of action that teachers at Austrian compulsory schools are confronted with in connection with the topic of school health.Methods. Qualitative-explorative research approach based on semi-structured interviews with teachers at Austrian compulsory schools. Data analysis was done by deductive-inductive categorisation.Results. The units of analysis from the transcribed data material of 15 interviews were assigned to three main categories. Teachers perceive a variety of health problems and must react accordingly. Teachers often feel insufficiently competent to take appropriate action and express an urgent need for professional support and training in health due to unmanageable challenges.Conclusion . The study shows that teachers perceive a variety of health-related challenges but are often inadequately supported. There is a need for continuous professional support to reduce stress and uncertainty in dealing with students' health problems and to ensure the best possible school health care.