Teens and confidentiality

When my primary care patients reach high school age, or sometimes before, I kick their parents out of the exam room. I don’t do it right at the beginning of the visit. I meet with them both first, to see what the parents are worried about (teens don’t always tell me), and to get updated on what is going on with the family (teens don’t always know). Then I ask the parents to leave. I say that at their child’s age, I like to have some time alone with them. I have a standard speech I give the teen. I say, “Anything you tell me is confidential, and your parent won’t be able to read the note I write. If you tell me anything I think your parents should know, we will talk about how to tell them. I won’t go behind your back.” I can’t imagine doing it any other way. It’s what my teen patients need me to do. Why does confidentiality matter? In a study published this year in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers asked youth ages 14 to 24 about their opinions and experiences with confidentiality in their health care. They found most had not had a conversation with their provider about confidentiality many thought all care should be confidential youth worry about privacy and future discrimination youth may lie about their risk behaviors or not seek health care when concerned about confidentiality. It’s that last point that worries me the most. As anyone who has been a teen knows, there are things you don’t always feel comfortable discussing in front of a parent ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Adolescent health Anxiety and Depression Mental Health Parenting Source Type: blogs