Easy interventions
For health-care providers
Solo interactions
An important skill for adolescents with chronic conditions to learn is how to communicate with health-care providers. Clinics can set an age at which they will begin seeing teens on their own for part of their visit. This practice will encourage communication and increase self-reliance and comfort with health-care interactions.
Three sentence health summary
Teens can be encouraged to be able to summarize their health history in three sentences. Adult providers tend to interrupt patients who tell a long, drawn out story. By being able to summarize their history succinctly, the teen gives a message that they are knowledgeable about their health and that they can focus on what is important. They should be told that after giving their summary, their will be questions. This doesn't mean that they have omitted important information, rather that they have given enough information so that the provider knows what to ask.
Transition and transfer reminders
It isn't unusual to hear 15 or 16 year olds saying that they didn't know they would ever have to leave the paediatric hospital. Reminders that they will be leaving can be verbal (eg "We expect you to know the names of all your meds before you graduate from this hospital" or "The hospital you will go to when you are 18 has a great cafeteria") or written. We are installing the poster that is at the bottom of this page all around our hospital as a reminder about graduation and to encourage teens to talk with someone about their concerns.
For parents
Encourage your teen to communicate directly with health care providers.
Teach your child how to manage their specific health care needs as early as possible
Teens who have household chores assigned feel that they have a role in contributing to their family. They are more likely to be well employed as adults.
Help your teen to understand the implications of their health condition and treatments on their present and future health.
Encourage your teen to get organized before appointments and have their questions written down.
Have your teen book their own appointments.
Discuss career and educational options.
