"If you have a kiddo between the ages of 10 to 18, I want you to listen up because you need to be prepared for your next pediatric visit. Your child is offered alone time with the doctor and it comes as a shock to some of these parents who have 9-year-olds or 10-year-olds. So, we like to prepare them."
"We try to build relationships with kids so that we can maintain trust - that is the greatest gift you can have with patients and their parents. It allows for them to develop independence and caring for themselves. It allows for a time and space for them to be with a trusted individual and we usually have another person in there, like a medical assistant or a nurse - it's not that we're doing a physical exam on them in there without you."
Pediatric practices commonly offer private, confidential time for patients roughly ages 10 to 18 so adolescents can speak with clinicians alone. One-on-one visits aim to build trust, encourage independence, and create a space for sensitive health discussions while often including another staff member for safety. Confidentiality increases the likelihood that teens will seek care and use contraception when needed. Clinicians generally respect adolescents' confidentiality and will not disclose private disclosures to parents except in legally required or safety-critical situations. Preparing parents for this standard practice reduces surprise and supports adolescent health autonomy.
Read at TODAY.com
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