Adolescent Communication

Jolene, Caitlin, John, and Sara

Who Are Adolescents?

• Teenagers

• 13-18 years of age

Who Are Adolescents?

• Transitioning from childhood to adulthood

• Range of Maturity levels• Time of physical,

emotional, and social change

• Many demands are placed on them– School, peers, society

Who Are Adolescents?

• May act mature like adults

• Childlike behaviour when ill or in stressful situations

• Desire Independence– Still dependent on

parents for comfort & Security

Who are Adolescents?

• Difficult to allow autonomous decisions

• Not always clear if they are capable of making wise authoritative decisions

• Avoid using authoritarian approach

• Involve them in as much decision making as possible

Adolescents can understand:

• Cause and effect• Multistep directions• Concepts in health• Causes of disease• Benefits of health promotion– May reject practicing them due to

social pressures

Basic Communication with Adolescents

• Provide thorough explanations and rational

• Clarify scientific language

• Make information meaningful to life

• Use appropriate tone of voice, attitude and volume of voice

Remember that poor attitudes toward healthcare in adults may be a result of a

lack of sensitivity to the individual during these

Adolescent years

Barriers to Communication

• Changing Individual and Body

• Confidentiality• Privacy

Changing Individual and Body

• Physical, emotional, hormonal changes are occurring

– effects their behavior, emotions, and changes in their mood

– may behave irrationally or be emotionally unstable

Changing Individual and Body

• May be more emotionally charged depending on the context– Their condition may have a huge impact on them,

especially if it alters their physical appearance or body functions

– Illness or injury can mean loss of dependency and feelings of confinement • eg. Broken leg

Changing Individual and Body

• Adapting to bodily changes and very preoccupied with appearance– Growth spurts, increased

weight, changes in bodily proportions, etc.

• Change in physical appearance may cause embarrassment – clumsiness, poor

coordination, and a change in body image

Changing Individual and Body

Communication:• Make patient

comfortable Humor– Ask about hobbies,

school, sports, etc.– May be more willing to

communicate and discuss concerns and ask questions

Changing Individual and Body

Communication:• be modest, understanding and do not judge• Sensitivity to Adolescent’s embarrassment• Provide thorough explanations and the rational

for procedures.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality

• One of most important aspects of health care for Adolescents

• Ensure patient that everything is kept confidential, and explain what this means– Everything is between the

health care workers providing care and the patient

– Includes what happens, conversations, or the results

Confidentiality

Communication:• May be more willing to communicate and discuss

concerns and ask questions if they feel they can trust the health care worker

• Try and make the patient feel comfortable– use of humor– Ask about hobbies, school, sports, etc.– avoid making comments about their hair or clothes, or

good grades • These are sensitive topics due to peer and parent expectations

Confidentiality

Communication:• Ask open ended

questions allowing them to open up

• Do not judge – issues may be embarrassing or personal

Confidentiality

• Communication difficulties may be caused by fear that information will not be kept confidential– Concern that parents will be informed about discussions

that take place between the adolescent and the health care professional• Fear of potential scolding from parents

– Pregnancy Example– This can also result in reluctance to talk about health

concerns and problems

Confidentiality

• Address fears and concerns• Parents still continue to be

the main providers, carers, and sources of health information to teenagers.– This contribution by parents

needs to be supported and respected

• Parents/Guardians may need to sign an informed consent if the patient is a minor (under 18)

Privacy

Privacy

• Modesty and privacy are very important

• Includes fear threats to their physical appearance– change in body image

may cause embarrassment

• X-ray images may be perceived by adolescents as being invasive and “seeing everything”

Privacy

Communication:• Treat worries and

concerns with Respect and Dignity– Ask open ended

questions– No judgement– Provide thorough

explanations and the rational for procedures.

PrivacyCommunication:• Allow adolescent privacy • Right to undergo a procedure, treatment, examination

without parents present• Discuss sensitive health issues in private

Youth does not mean healthy – Adolescents are often overlooked and can have serious health

issues/ Concerns

An Interview With an ER Nurse

Adolescent cases vary greatly:

• Range in maturity and dependency

• Values• privacy and responsibility

• Communication• Encouragement, positive feedback, patience, flexibility

• Compounding complications• Cultural, language, mental health, drug addiction, child

abuse

THE END