Choosing the Right Doctor for Your Teen

Find a doctor who understands and can address the needs of your teen.

When your child becomes a teen, remember it’s a time of change. Your teen’s body is maturing. He faces pressure to smoke and drink and have romantic relationships. He has many choices to make about his future and friends. This new chapter of your teen’s life can be confusing and frustrating, and exciting and rewarding.

What is a physician’s role at this stage in your child’s life? Your teen’s doctor should not only treat the physical “symptoms” of teenhood (think acne and fatigue!), but also guide your child to make healthy decisions. The doctor should have a rapport with your teen and be a confidant.

Ask if they’re willing to meet with your child alone (that alone time is important – your child may have something important to share, but may not feel comfortable talking about sensitive issues with you in the room). Ask whether they’ll be helpful on sexuality issues without being judgmental, and how they feel about discussing delaying sexual relationships and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Make an appointment and watch how the doctor interacts with your child. Does the doctor talk to you or your child?

There are several options if you’re looking for a physician to care for your teen:

Adolescent Medicine Physicians are trained to address the physical, psychological and emotional issues teens encounter. They recognize teens have concerns that are different from children and adults. They usually care for your child from age 13 through college.

Pediatricians can care for your child into teenhood. Your pediatrician knows your child well from treating him since birth, and your teen may be comfortable with his pediatrician. On the other hand, your teen may feel he’s outgrown the pediatrician. If that’s so, he may be able to see another doctor in the same practice who specializes in caring for teens.

Family medicine doctors are trained to care for patients of all ages, and can be the family doctor for all your family members, including your teen. For females, they can provide routine gynecological care, too.

Internists specialize in chronic and complicated disorders. They are trained to care for adults, but many will also care for teenagers.

For more information or a referral, please call 877-LVH-KIDZ (584-5439) or 610-402-CARE.

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