Confidential Care is Important
Adolescent patients cite confidentiality as one of the key determinants of their use of health care, and providing confidential care results in better social and health outcomes.
Providing adolescents with confidential care results in better social and health outcomes, and a lack of confidential services may lead to unintended health consequences. Adolescent patients cite confidentiality as one of the key determinants of their use of health care. However, a lack of confidential care does not delay or dissuade adolescents from engaging in high-risk behaviors.
AHI offers three Spark trainings on confidentiality. Sparks are designed for providers or staff to deliver in 15-30 minutes at staff meetings or professional development opportunities. These trainings will “spark” discussion and reflection among your multidisciplinary team. All sparks include a PowerPoint presentation, a facilitator outline, and follow-up materials.
Deepen your understanding of minor consent laws for your state.
Identify and discuss the roles that school staff can play in facilitating student access to health services.
Explore best practices for providing confidential care to adolescents.
AHI offers two Starter Guides based on confidentiality. These guides are mini-toolkits that offer concrete, actionable steps to improve adolescent care.
Conversations about risk-taking behaviors can sometimes be difficult for health care professionals to navigate. This Starter Guide includes strategies and best practices for assessing risk-taking behaviors with adolescent patients.
Chlamydia screening is not always offered to asymptomatic youth and may not be offered outside sexual health visits. Review strategies and best-practices for increasing chlamydia screening rates in this Starter Guide.
Communicating the availability of confidential services to adolescents helps them feel more comfortable sharing sensitive health information with their provider. AHI has resources to help your health center communicate your confidentiality practices to adolescent patients and their parents.
Are you interested in empowering youth to be savvy health care consumers? Would you like to learn strategies to get authentic youth feedback on your adolescent services?
