Important Info for Teens

Supporting Teen Privacy

Adolescent visits to the doctor are much different than examinations for younger children. We respect that teens often have a special need for privacy and may have  health questions that they would like to discuss alone. Therefore, during adolescent physicals, we like to provide teens with the opportunity to meet with the doctor without their parent present. As a general practice, a medical scribe is also in the examination room assisting the provider throughout the visit. If you would feel more comfortable, you can request that the scribe leave at this time.

Your Annual Physical

During your annual physical, your parent will usually accompany you to the exam room to meet with your doctor for the initial part of your visit. This is the time when your parent may ask any questions of special concern about your health. Your parent then returns to the waiting room while you finish your discussion and physical examination with your provider. This period of time is very important for you, as a young adult, to learn to independently communicate about your health concerns with your physician.

In order to help make adolescent provider visits more comfortable for all involved, it’s helpful if the parents and teenagers have open lines of communication. To help with registration for school sports, it is helpful for athletes to fill out a pre-participation form prior to coming in for the appointment.