AAFP Resources on Adolescent/Young Adult Care
Savoy said that to address gaps in care that exist among younger patients, the AAFP webinar will connect members with resources they can use themselves and share with patients and their parents .
For example, for over a year now, the AAFP has offered an adolescent and young adult health resource on its website that includes policies on teen suicide prevention; violence, harassment and bullying at school; obesity; tobacco and tobacco; sports medicine; and confidentiality of adolescent health care.
Additionally, Savoy said, this resource includes clinical recommendations on alcohol abuse, depression, illicit drug use, motor vehicle safety, skin care, STDs and immunization schedules for adolescent and young adult patients.
The National Roundtable on HPV Vaccination has also just launched a campaign called The power to prevent HPV-related cancerwhich includes a communications toolbox. Practices can register to download the toolkit, which aims to help them contact their patients via social media to improve vaccination rates.
Savoy said the Academy is promoting this HPV vaccination campaign and encouraging family doctors to use the school physical season as an opportunity to promote adolescent vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, HPV and meningococcal disease.
Another valuable resource for treating adolescent and young adult patients, she said, is the AAFP Foundation Highlight on Vaccinations 4 Teens Resource Library, which includes video resources, an adolescent immunization at-a-glance fact sheet, and ready-to-use reminder templates to send to adolescent patients and their parents/guardians.
In conclusion, Savoy said she thinks family doctors should participate in the AAFP webinar because many may be stunned like she was when she learned that adolescent and young adult patients were not asking one-on-one time with their parents, even if they wanted it.
“I’ve always asked teenage patients if I could ask personal questions with their mom or dad in the room, but that’s just not the best way to provide the care they need,” she said. -she declared. “They deserve better from us, and understanding this has forever changed the way I conduct visits to adolescents and young adults.”
Related AAFP News Blanket
AAFP advises HHS on increasing HPV vaccination rates
Improve clinician training to increase coverage, says Academy
(06/18/2018)
NCCL 2018
Delegates focus on sex education and STI prevention
(02/05/2018)
