A practical approach to adolescent health care: A brief overview

Abstract

Adolescence is the time between the beginning of sexual maturation (puberty) and adulthood. It is roughly considered to be the period between 10 and 18 years of age. It is a time of psychological maturation, when a person becomes "adult-like" in behavior. The adolescent experiences not only physical growth but also emotional, psychological, social and cognitive changes. These changes lead to a difference in the interaction between parent and child. Some young people engage in unsafe activities that reflect the processes of adolescent development, including experimentation and exploration that may involve drugs and alcohol, sexual activity, and other risk taking behaviours that affect their physical and mental health These problems are not easily addressed by physicians with a strictly physiologic orientation and time limitations, and may not even show up on the standard review of systems that physicians are taught to perform in some health systems. Adolescence can be divided into three stages: early, middle, and late. Interview and examination techniques vary widely depending on the adolescent's physical, cognitive, and social-emotional levels of development. For each adolescent at each visit, it can be helpful to do a "HEEADSSS" assessment and offer brief advice and interventions. The AAP recommends annual health supervision visits for each adolescent. In addition, it is highly recommended to include health promotion during all health encounters with youth. Adolescents with chronic problems or high-risk behaviors may require additional visits for health promotion and anticipatory guidance. Clinicians who are taking care of adolescents have unique opportunities to make a difference in their health and their lives by being creative, flexible and open-minded in the care provided. Providing health care for adolescents involves a variety of medical, social and legal knowledge, and close working relationships must be established within the adolescent's network to establish an effective care system.