Teens and Docs
What once was the expected standard yearly visit to the doctor for kids, becomes the unexpected once kids become teens. Experts say this is dangerous because as kids grow older, preventative care and important health messages are often missed as a result.
Studies show that people aged 11 to 21 years make up 15 % of the population, but only nine percent of doctor visits. This at the time when frequent check-ups are needed to make sure they are growing in a healthy manner. Doctors also warn that chronic diseases and illnesses can go unnoticed, and are often discovered when kids go for annual checkups, or for an injury. “We found 15% of our adolescents coming to our emergency department maybe for injury or a sore ear or whatever and when we check a urine specimen, we find some evidence that they have Chlamydia or another sexually transmitted disease,” Carden Johnston, M.D.
Doctors say find a physician that teens can get to know and feel comfortable with. They also suggest making sure their kids know an annual checkup is mandatory, rather than optional. “As long as she’s living with me, this is not a question that she has any control of, ” says mom Linda Herbers.
What Parents Should Know
When children are young they go to the doctor on a regular basis because it is routine. But as they grow into the teen years and no longer need immunizations and check ups, many of them may not see a doctor as often.
At a certain time young people, who might continue this viewpoint as adults, feel like they don't need to go to the doctor. Unless the symptoms are really bad they probably don't, but it is a good idea to keep up the practice of regular exams just to make sure things are fine.
Some teenagers may decide that they are mature enough to go visit the doctor alone. If they do, there are certain things that they should keep in mind.
- When there are problems let the doctor know as many details about the situation as possible.
- Give an accurate and honest past medical history so doctors can make a thorough assessment and diagnosis.
- Ask questions about any health related issues or concerns
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“As long as she’s living with me this it not a question that she has any control of.” --Linda Herbers, mom |
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A federal survey of 2,426 physicians found that people ages 11 to 21 accounted for 9% of their office visits. This group made up 15% of the population as of 1994. (Source: Pediatrics) The number of uninsured Americans is expected to increase to 45 million over the next five years. If current trends hold, 25%, or 11.25 million, of them will be children. (Source: Mothering
n.84, 1997) |
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A lot of health problems experienced by teenagers are due to risky behavior. Injury and accidents are major reasons for teens needing to see a physician because their lifestyles often involve taking risks that put them in danger of being hurt. In an article for Rolling Stone magazine (12/93), writer Douglas Foster gives a "day in the life" look at one Oakland, CA doctor. In the article - "No Slack: The Disease is Adolescence - Dr. Barbara Staggers talks about the various situations and cases that she deals with at the high school and local teen clinic where she works. Her account concludes that many of the resulting medical problems that teens see her for have underlying social causes that can be prevented if teens have the help of a supportive adult. |
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Resources
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1) U.S.
News Online 2) “How to
talk to your doctor“.(advice for teenagers); Current Health
2, v.22, n.3, 1995 |
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more information on parenting issues contact us: Connecting with Kids |