Adolescent Health

Question 1

Describe mortality in adolescents

Answer 1

Increased in adolescents (10-19 years) to younger children

Question 2

Describe chronic disease in adolescence

Answer 2

Highest graft failure rates - 35% lose kidneys
Deterioration in HbA1c in diabetes - associated with lasting complications
Consistent across medical conditions

Question 3

What is adolescence?

Answer 3

Occurs 11-25 years
Specific, unique developmental changes
Brain undergoes significant development

Question 4

Describe developing the prefrontal cortex

Answer 4

Adolescence - concrete thinking, winging it, bullet proof mindset, risk taking and egocentricity
Adulthood - abstract thinking, planning, organisation, reasoning and emotion regulation

Question 5

Describe mental health in adolescence

Answer 5

Half of mental health problems are established at age 14 and 75% by age 24
Prevalence is rising

Question 6

How can communication style be adapted?

Answer 6

Aim for conversation
Avoid medical jargon
Explore their priorities/ concerns
Judge when to use open/ closed questions
Discuss adherence to treatment
Explore understanding and assess motivation

Question 7

What does HEADSS stand for in social history?

Answer 7

Home, education, activities, drug/ alcohol, sexuality and suicide/ self harm (sleep)

Question 8

Describe the transition from paediatric to adult services

Answer 8

Move at around age 16 years
Differences are in paediatrics more parental responsibility, greater skills in developmental assessment and lower patient volume

Question 9

How can the transition be improved?

Answer 9

Treat as a process and being process earlier
Ensure goof understanding of condition and medications
Initial joint appointments with adult and paediatric teams

Question 10

What tool is used for the transition?

Answer 10

Ready, steady, go
Checklists at different ages to check understanding of conditions