Best Seattle Adolescent Medicine Specialists

Adolescent Medicine Information:

Adolescent medicine focuses on patients who are still adolescents, generally children who are in their last years of elementary school up to high school aged children.

Adolescents should see a doctor during their yearly check-ups, or when their health is in questionable condition. Those who care for adolescents screen their patients' well-being in various domains by using what is called the HEADSS assessment: Home life, Education, Activities, Drugs, Sex, Suicidality. Other factors sometimes also considered in the HEADSS assessment are Eating, Safety and Strengths. Typical adolescent health issues involve the following: sexual health topics like birth control, sexually transmitted disease, teen pregnancy; mental health conditions like personality disorders, eating disorders, depression; and substance abuse. Related disciplines include pediatrics, internal medicine, and family medicine.