Adolescent medicine, also known as adolescent and young adult medicine, is a medical

subspecialty A subspecialty or subspeciality (see spelling differences) is a narrow field of professional knowledge/skills within a specialty of trade, and is most commonly used to describe the increasingly more diverse medical specialties. A subspecialist is ...

that focuses on care of patients who are in the

adolescent Adolescence () is a transitional stage of human physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age of majority). Adolescence is usually associated w ...

period of development. This period begins at

puberty Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction. It is initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads: the ovaries in a female, the testicles i ...

and lasts until growth has stopped, at which time

adult An adult is an animal that has reached full growth. The biological definition of the word means an animal reaching sexual maturity and thus capable of reproduction. In the human context, the term ''adult'' has meanings associated with social an ...

hood begins. Typically, patients in this age range will be in the last years of middle school up until college graduation (some doctors in this subspecialty treat young adults attending college at area clinics, in the subfield of college health). In developed nations, the psychosocial period of adolescence is extended both by an earlier start, as the onset of puberty begins earlier, and a later end, as patients require more years of education or training before they reach economic independence from their parents. Medicine is often categorized most simply as

pediatric Pediatrics (American English) also spelled paediatrics (British English), is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, pediatrics covers many of their youth ...

and adult, with the pediatric category covering from infancy through both childhood and adolescence. However, such categorization is further divided in some contexts, such that adolescent medicine can be a more specific focus within pediatrics and

geriatrics Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a medical specialty focused on addressing the unique health needs of older adults. The term ''geriatrics'' originates from the Greek γέρων ''geron'' meaning "old man", and ιατρός ''iatros'' mean ...

can be a more specific focus within adult medicine. Issues with a high prevalence during adolescence are frequently addressed by providers. These include: *

Sexually transmitted disease A sexually transmitted infection (STI), also referred to as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and the older term venereal disease (VD), is an infection that is spread by sexual activity, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex, or ...

(working with specialists in pediatric endocrinology, adolescent

obstetrics Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a su ...

and

gynecology Gynaecology or gynecology (see American and British English spelling differences) is the area of medicine concerned with conditions affecting the Female reproductive system, female reproductive system. It is often paired with the field of obste ...

immunology Immunology is a branch of biology and medicine that covers the study of Immune system, immune systems in all Organism, organisms. Immunology charts, measures, and contextualizes the Physiology, physiological functioning of the immune system in ...

infectious diseases infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable dise ...

, and

urology Urology (from Ancient Greek, Greek wikt:οὖρον, οὖρον ''ouron'' "urine" and ''wiktionary:-logia, -logia'' "study of"), also known as genitourinary surgery, is the branch of medicine that focuses on surgical and medical diseases of t ...

and

reproductive medicine Reproductive medicine is a branch of medicine concerning the male and female reproductive systems. It encompasses a variety of reproductive conditions, their prevention and assessment, as well as their subsequent treatment and prognosis. Reprodu ...

) *

Unintended pregnancy Unintended pregnancies are pregnancies that are mistimed or unwanted at the time of conception, also known as unplanned pregnancies. Sexual activity without the use of effective contraception through choice or coercion is the predominant caus ...

(working with specialists in adolescent obstetrics and gynecology, especially in

neonatology Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn. It is a hospital-based specialty and is usually practised in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Th ...

and maternal-fetal medicine; many – though not all – are medically risky or high-risk cases or to those with psychosocial, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges) *

Birth control Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only be ...

(access to prescription or non-prescription contraceptive methods) * Sexual activity (such as

masturbation Masturbation is a form of autoeroticism in which a person Sexual stimulation, sexually stimulates their own Sex organ, genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. Stimulation may involve the use of han ...

sexual intercourse Sexual intercourse (also coitus or copulation) is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion of the Erection, erect male Human penis, penis inside the female vagina and followed by Pelvic thrust, thrusting motions for sexual pleasure ...

and

sexual abuse Sexual abuse or sex abuse is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using physical force, or by taking advantage of another. It often consists of a persistent pattern of sexual assaults. The offender is re ...

) *

Substance abuse Substance misuse, also known as drug misuse or, in older vernacular, substance abuse, is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods that are harmful to the individual or others. It is a form of substance-related disorder, differing definition ...

* Menstrual disorders (such as amenorrhea,

dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea, also known as period pain, painful periods or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation. Its usual onset occurs around the time that menstruation begins. Symptoms typically last less than three days. The pain is usually in th ...

and dysfunctional uterine bleeding) *

Acne Acne ( ), also known as ''acne vulgaris'', is a long-term Cutaneous condition, skin condition that occurs when Keratinocyte, dead skin cells and Sebum, oil from the skin clog hair follicles. Typical features of the condition include comedo, ...

(working with specialists in

dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the Human skin, skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A List of dermatologists, ...

who treat adolescents) *

Eating disorders An eating disorder is a mental disorder defined by abnormal eating behaviors that adversely affect a person's health, physical or mental health, mental health. These behaviors may include eating too much food or too little food. Types of eatin ...

like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (working with nutritionists and dieticians, and also specialists in pediatric mental health counseling,

clinical psychology Clinical psychology is an integration of human science, behavioral science, theory, and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well ...

, and pediatric psychiatry, who work with adolescents) * Certain mental illnesses (especially personality disorders, anxiety disorders, major depression and suicide, bipolar disorder, and certain types of schizophrenia; in concert with mental health counselors, clinical psychologists, and pediatric psychiatrists specializing in adolescent health care) * Delayed or precocious puberty (often working with specialists in adolescent pediatric endocrinology,

, and

andrology Andrology (from , ''anēr'', genitive , ''andros'' 'man' and , ''-logy, -logia'') is a name for the medicine, medical specialty that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urology, urologi ...

)

Gay, lesbian and bisexual young people

Adolescents who are gay, lesbian or bisexual tend to demonstrate more risky health behaviors and have worse health outcomes compared to heterosexual youth, including: * Substance abuse * Suicidality * Eating disorders and body image * Sexual behaviors, including unintended pregnancy involvement (Contrary to assumptions, gay, bisexual or lesbian youth are more likely to report involvement in pregnancy compared to their heterosexual peers) * Homelessness, which affects health and access to care

Chronic conditions

Chronic conditions often cause delay in onset of puberty and temporary or permanent impediments to growth; conversely the growth and hormonal changes can destabilize treatment for the chronic condition. An increase in independence can lead to gaps in self-management, for example, in the decreased management of diabetes.

Young peoples' access to health care

In addition, issues of

medical ethics Medical ethics is an applied branch of ethics which analyzes the practice of clinical medicine and related scientific research. Medical ethics is based on a set of values that professionals can refer to in the case of any confusion or conflict. T ...

, particularly related to

confidentiality Confidentiality involves a set of rules or a promise sometimes executed through confidentiality agreements that limits the access to or places restrictions on the distribution of certain types of information. Legal confidentiality By law, la ...

and the right to

consent Consent occurs when one person voluntarily agrees to the proposal or desires of another. It is a term of common speech, with specific definitions used in such fields as the law, medicine, research, and sexual consent. Consent as understood i ...

for medical care, are pertinent to the practice of adolescent medicine. Marginalised young people’s access is affected by their ability to recognize and understand health issues; service knowledge and attitudes toward help seeking; structural barriers; professionals' knowledge, skills, attitudes; service environments and structures; ability to navigate the health system; youth participation; and technology opportunities. Marginalised young people’s healthcare journeys can be supported by advocates that help them navigate the health system. The particular needs of young people when accessing healthcare have also led the WHO to publishing guidelines for adolescent-friendly health care, in an effort to increase adolescents utilization of the healthcare system.

Training

Adolescent medicine providers are generally drawn from the specialties of

pediatrics Pediatrics (American English) also spelled paediatrics (British English), is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, Adolescence, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, pediatrics covers many o ...

internal medicine Internal medicine, also known as general medicine in Commonwealth nations, is a medical specialty for medical doctors focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in adults. Its namesake stems from "treatment of diseases of ...

, med/peds or

family medicine Family medicine is a medical specialty that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages, genders, diseases, and parts of the body. The specialist, who is usually a primary care physician, is ...

. The certifying boards for these different specialties have varying requirements for certification, though all require successful completion of a

fellowship A fellow is a title and form of address for distinguished, learned, or skilled individuals in academia, medicine, research, and industry. The exact meaning of the term differs in each field. In learned or professional societies, the term refers ...

and a passing score on a certifying exam. The American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Internal Medicine require evidence of scholarly achievement by candidates for subspecialty certification, usually in the form of an original research study. In the United States, subspecialty medical board certification in adolescent medicine is available through the specialty boards of American Board of Internal Medicine, the

American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry The American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry (AOBNP) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and non-osteopathic (MD and equivalent) physicians who specialize in diso ...

, the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, the

American Board of Pediatrics American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

, and the

American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics The American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics (AOBP) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of medical diseases in infants, children, ...

List of adolescent health centers in the United States

San Antonio, Texas * Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Clinic at

Fort Sam Houston Fort Sam Houston is a United States Army, U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas. "Fort Sam Houston, TX • About Fort Sam Houston" (overview), US Army, 2007, webpageSH-Army. Known colloquially as "Fort Sam", it is named for the first president o ...

Dallas, Texas * Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic at Children's Medical Center (Dallas) * Windhaven Adolescent Medicine Clinic at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital (Plano) * Girls to Women Health and Wellness (North Dallas) * Young Men's Health and Wellness (North Dallas) U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Spring, Colorado * Cadet Medicine Clinic at U.S. Air Force Academy Kansas City, Missouri * Adolescent Clinic at Children's Mercy Hospital (Kansas City, Missouri) Indianapolis, Indiana * Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics,

Indiana University School of Medicine The Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) is a major, multi-campus medical school located throughout the US state, U.S. state of Indiana and is both the Medical school, undergraduate and Graduate medical education, graduate medical school o ...

New York City, New York * The Adolescent Health Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center (Manhattan) * Adolescent clinic at Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center (the Bronx) * The Door - Adolescent Health Center (Manhattan) www.door.org Dayton, Ohio * Division of Adolescent Young Adult Medicine at Dayton Children’s Hospital Rochester, New York * The Adolescent Health Clinic at

University of Rochester The University of Rochester is a private university, private research university in Rochester, New York, United States. It was founded in 1850 and moved into its current campus, next to the Genesee River in 1930. With approximately 30,000 full ...

Los Angeles, California * Teenage and Young Adult Health Center at

Children's Hospital Los Angeles Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is a nationally ranked, freestanding acute care Pediatrics, children's hospital in the East Hollywood, Los Angeles, East Hollywood district of Los Angeles, on Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Vermont Avenue ...

San Francisco area * Adolescent Medicine Clinic at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford * Adolescent Medicine Clinic at

UCSF The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a public land-grant research university in San Francisco, California, United States. It is part of the University of California system and is dedicated entirely to health science and life ...

Massachusetts * Adolescent Center Boston Medical Center * Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School Teen Health Center * CHA Cambridge Teen Health Center * Center for Adolescent & Young Adult Health, Milford * Division of Adolescent Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston * Everett Teen Health * Somerville High School Somerville Teen Connection * Teen Health Center in Boston Tufts Children's Hospital Philadelphia, Pennsylvania * Adolescent Medicine at

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, also known by its acronym CHOP, is a children's hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its primary campus is located in the University City, Philadelphia, University City neighborhood of West Philadelph ...

* Adolescent Medicine at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children * Teen Health Center at Temple University Children's Medical Center * Teen Health Center at Albert Einstein Medical Center Columbus, Ohio * Adolescent Health at Nationwide Children's Hospital Seattle, Washington * Department of Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital Cincinnati, Ohio * Division of Adolescent Medicine at

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) is an Teaching hospital, academic pediatric acute care children's hospital located in the Avondale, Cincinnati, Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. The hospital has more than 670 regis ...

Richmond, Virginia * Adolescent Medicine at Children's Hospital of Richmond Fayetteville, North Carolina * Adolescent Medicine a
Womac Army Medical Center

List of adolescent health centers in Australia

Sydney * The Department of Adolescent Medicine at The Children's Hospital at Westmead * The Department of Adolescent Medicine at Westmead Hospital * Youth Consultancy & the Chill, at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Melbourne * The Centre For Adolescent Health Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne

Relationship with college health

In the United States, the subspecialty of college health is closely affiliated with adolescent medicine. Many adolescent medicine fellowships include rotations in college-based student health clinics and many adolescent medicine physicians work in college health clinics.

Professional organizations

Founded in 1987, the International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH) is a multidisciplinary, non-government organization with a broad focus on youth health.

Publications

* '' Journal of Adolescent Health'' (published by

Elsevier Elsevier ( ) is a Dutch academic publishing company specializing in scientific, technical, and medical content. Its products include journals such as ''The Lancet'', ''Cell (journal), Cell'', the ScienceDirect collection of electronic journals, ...

on behalf of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine) * '' Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology'' (published by the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology) * '' Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews'' (published by the American Academy of Pediatrics)

References

External links

Office of Adolescent, U.S. Department of Health, Health and Human Services

Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews

The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

The North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

The American Board of Pediatrics

The American Board of Internal Medicine

The American Board of Family Medicine

The American College Health Association

Teens Homepage, Nemours Foundation
{{Authority control Pediatrics Adolescent medicine