Health care of the adolescent

The care of adolescent patients is similar to care for any other patient in many ways. However, adolescence is a period of rapid change as teenagers’ transition from childhood to adulthood, with all of the concomitant physical, sexual, and emotional changes. It can be quite a chaotic time for both teens and their families. For family physicians, the primary role is often to help smooth this transition by helping families and their teenagers understand all of the changes happening, supporting teens in safe and healthy risk taking, and encouraging the gradual differentiation that is occurring.