Primary care
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With multiple vaccines for adolescents recommended, it is imperative providers remain up to date with the current recommendations. With misinformation of vaccine safety and effectiveness in the mainstream media and social media, adolescents are a vulnerable population that needs to be reviewed and educated. ⋯ Consequently, they may represent a more vulnerable population in need of education. This article reviews the current guidelines, recommended vaccinations and schedules, and methods to improve compliance rates.
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This article describes the current scope of immigration to the United States, defines the different categories of immigrants, and describes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-mandated overseas and postarrival medical assessment of adolescent refugees. Guidelines for primary care physicians who care for refugee youth are provided, including diagnosis and treatment of common medical and mental health conditions. Special considerations in caring for this vulnerable population include acknowledging prior traumas, acculturation and challenges to education such as bullying, and adjustment to a new health care system that emphasizes preventive care in addition to curative medical care.
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Child sexual abuse is a severely underreported crime in the United States. The consequences of child sexual abuse extend beyond physical injury, including an increased likelihood to develop chronic physical and mental diseases/disorders, including substance abuse and suicide. ⋯ Medical providers should know the response process their facility, community, and state practices for victims of sexual abuse. Acknowledging and responding to victims of sexual abuse as a multidisciplinary team will ensure comprehensive care for the patient.
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Musculoskeletal care of the adolescent patient involves unique knowledge of their rapidly changing physical and psychological health. In this article, the importance of preventing early sports specialization is elucidated, and an encouragement of the safety and necessity of resistance training in adolescents is undertaken. It also explores two common conditions, one affecting the immature skeleton (apophysitis), and one affecting the improperly developed muscular system (patellofemoral syndrome), both of which are diagnosed clinically, and require little advanced imaging. Finally, a brief overview of relative energy deficiency in sport is given.