Rationale
Adolescence represents the stage of human growth and development when the individual
undergoes striking physical changes in addition to cognitive and psychosocial
maturation. Medical problems common in adolescents reflect, in part, the interplay
between physical and psychosocial development.
Objectives
- Recognize unique features of the physician-patient
relationship during adolescence, including
confidentiality and consent.
- Describe strategies for interviewing and
counseling adolescents.
- Outline the sequence of pubertal development.
- Identify on an illustration or a patient the
physical characteristics of each stage of pubertal
(sexual) maturation (i.e. the Tanner Stages).
- Discuss the characteristics of early, mid, and
late adolescence in terms of physical, cognitive, and
psychosocial growth and development.
- List the major causes of mortality and morbidity
in adolescents.
- Review the concepts of "risk-taking behavior" and
"high-risk" youth.
- Discuss approach to preventive counseling and
identification of risk behaviors for these keys areas:
sexuality/sexual activity (sexual orientation,
contraception and sexually transmitted diseases),
substance abuse, and personal safety (firearms,
violence, motor vehicles).
- Identify medical and psychosocial difficulties
encountered by adolescents with chronic diseases (also
see section on "Chronic Disease").
- Recognize the features of psychosocial and mental health problems common in adolescence, including school avoidance/failure, eating disorders, depression and suicide
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