How to Set Your Teen’s Mind at Ease Before Their Adolescent Care Visit

Just as you go for an annual physical exam, so, too, should your adolescent. They’re at a period in their life when their bodies are changing rapidly, and the surge of hormones that comes with that can throw their mental health off-balance, too.

It’s important, though, that they understand why these visits are necessary and what they entail.

At Associates in Family Medicine in San Diego, California, Dr. Mahshid M. Hamidi and our staff understand the challenges teens face, and they provide adolescent care with compassion and insight. If you have a teen who’s scheduled for an adolescent care exam, here’s what you can do to set their mind at ease before they see us.

The changes of adolescence

Adolescence means your teen will eventually graduate from their pediatric care team to adult care, and they need to be prepared to be responsible for their own medical needs.

Most teens are used to their parents making appointments for them, asking the appropriate questions of the doctor, and knowing which doctor is needed for different types of care. As they get older, they’re going to need to learn these things for themselves, and it’s helpful to start preparing them for this transition by about age 12.

Set a goal of teaching your teen a little each year more about how to manage their health care, so that by the time they need adult care, they’ll have learned and practiced many of the skills that will allow them to be independent, including making their own appointments, advocating for their own care and appropriate treatments, and understanding how their insurance coverage works.  

What information should you share with your teen?

The information you give your child about their health care depends on their age.

For kids around age 12

Explain any medical conditions they have in simple terms, and have them repeat the information to you so you’re sure they understand.

Encourage them to spend time with their doctor and nurse without you in the room. This allows them to build a relationship with their providers and learn to ask their own questions.

If your child takes any medications, discuss what they’re taking and why. Also let them know if they have any medication allergies, so they can let the doctor know.

If your child has a chronic condition, show them how you order medical equipment, prescriptions, or supplies so they can learn the steps.

Show them where you keep their health records, and discuss how to make healthy decisions in their life, including how avoiding alcohol, drugs, and smoking can preserve their health.

For teens around age 14

Discuss your family medical history with them, including any diseases that might be passed on.

Give them the contact information for their primary care physician and any specialists they’ve  gone to.

In addition to making a medication list, show them how to fill and refill their prescriptions.

Have them handle the check-in when you get to the doctor’s office, and encourage them to ask questions of the staff and doctor if there’s something they want or need to know.

Discuss what an emergency looks like and what they should do in case they or someone else is having one. Make sure they know 911 is the number to call for help.

For teens around age 18

Your teen is a legal adult, so they need to be aware of who can access their health information under HIPAA regulations, and what they should do if they want their parents or caregivers to be included on the access list.

Help them look for a new primary care provider who cares for adults, such as an internist or a family medicine doctor.

Discuss how their health insurance works, what’s covered, and how to contact customer service if they have a question, need to file a claim, or need to change their plan.

Put their mind at ease about the visit

During the visit, in addition to the physical exam, the doctor may discuss lifestyle choices, including:

• Tips about healthy foods and what a reasonable exercise plan looks like
• Suggestions for safe driving, including always wearing a seatbelt, not talking on the phone while driving, and not getting in the car with someone who's been drinking or taking drugs
• Tips about the importance of sunscreen and preventing excess ultraviolet exposure
• Issues such as safe sex, preventing sexually transmitted infections, and the importance of birth control
• Possible mood or behavioral changes that may suggest anxiety or depression and what to do about them.

If your teen has any questions, let them know you’re available to answer them and help them take the necessary steps toward independence.

For more information about adolescent care and how to ease your teen’s mind before a visit, call Associates in Family Medicine at 858-565-6394 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hamidi, or send us a message online. We also accept telehealth appointments.