As a family medicine physician, I know that the transition from pediatrics to adult health care is one of the most overlooked parts of your children in adulthood. This change is more than finding a new doctor. You help young adults learn to support themselves while calculating your new role as a support system and not the primary person who makes all the healthcare decisions.
Understanding the new landscape
Once your child turns 18, national laws completely change your relationship with their health care. You cannot automatically take their medical details or make medical decisions for them. I know this feels weird at first, but it’s really a good opportunity to help them develop important adult skills. If they are comfortable with this, sign a Hipaa authorization form so you can still access your medical information during an emergency or important health decisions.
Finding the correct primary care provider
The first step is to help your teenager understand that finding a healthcare provider is like dating. You want to find the right match. Schedule a “meeting and greeting” appointment with primary care and clinical doctor OB-GYN, whether it is MD, DO, PA or APRN. This appointment is not to deal with urgent problems. Think about it as checking if vibes are right. Does your child feel comfortable asking questions? The provider listens and explains things clearly? Is the clinician comfortable discussing health issues that the teenager has learned about Tiktok or other social media? Just like dating, if they don’t hit it, your teenager may try with another clinical doctor.
It is also extremely normal for young adults who do not have continuous health conditions or regularly take medicines to choose to omit to establish care with a primary care provider initially. Instead, they will identify an urgent care center covered by their safety and will go there when they need care. As a doctor, I think it is okay to use urgent care for these unexpected injuries and diseases. However, it is good to have a primary care doctor – as someone who knows your full medical history can become your health lawyer when you need it.
College health systems navigation
Not every teenager plans to attend college, but for those who do, college health centers offer significant advantages: they are convenient, affordable, and providers understand the unique challenges facing college students. The disadvantage is that services may be limited during holiday and summer sessions. Help the young adult understand what the College Health Center offers and what it may require out of referral. Many students use campus health for usual care to maintain relationships with home experts. If your child is watching the university, encourage them to start with campus resources for cost and convenience. However, know that they can also have access to care options outside the campus.
Get to know your health history
This transition reveals an important gap in the way families communicate for health. The young adult must understand their full medical history, including allergies, today’s drugs and most importantly, because they take every medicine. Even young adults with chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes can fight to manage their health independently, not because they are irresponsible, but because you are the primary responsible for decision -making and health lawyer throughout their adolescence. They may not fully understand the daily demands of their conditions or may be aware of critical details such as drug allergies, a full diagnosis list or family history.
I have seen countless young adult patients call their parents from my office because they cannot answer basic questions about their health. This turmoil often occurs in the worst possible moments when they are already sick or dealing with a health crisis.
If your child takes medicines, make sure they understand the names (general and brands), doses, the reason for taking the drug and the importance of consistency. This knowledge becomes essential during an emergency or in establishing care with new clinicians.
Teach them to maintain a list of medicines of this information on their phone so that it is easy to access. In every medical appointment, they will ask about their medicines and allergies. They should also be prepared to be asked to share information about their sexual health and drugs or alcohol.
Emergency against emergency care
It is important to teach your young adult about the difference between emergency care (for things such as minor injuries, infections or illness) and urgent care (for chest pain, serious injuries, difficulty breathing or any non -responding). Understanding when to use anyone can save money, make sure they receive proper care and help them help their friends.
Prevention and ongoing care
These 18 years of age and older should remain current with significant vaccinations, including annual influenza shootings to prevent seasonal influenza. The HPV vaccines, which protects against human papillary and reduces the risk of cervical cancer, was ideally completed before the age of 26. Meningitis vaccines to prevent severe bacterial infections common in college regulations. and tetanus amplifiers every 10 years to protect wounds. They should also be examined for sexually transmitted infections when they are sexually active, even if they have no symptoms. Young women should regularly start PAP spots at the age of 21 to project cervical cancer and precancerous changes, regardless of sexual activity, and to be informed about birth control options, such as birth control pills, or other birth control pills.
Help them install patients’ gates, understand their telemedicine options and learn how to contact their clinician between visits. Everyone does not realize that anything they write on a patient gate is part of their permanent medical record.
Your evolving role as a parent
Your role is shifted by the Director of Health Care to the Counselor. Be available for guidance, encouraging independence. Help them organize their important health documents, understand their insurance benefits and prepare questions for appointments. Remember, this transition takes time. Some young adults will be ready to handle everything independently, while others will need more gradual support.
When you prepare your child with these tools and knowledge, you create them for a life of success to support the health care they deserve. This is one of the most valuable things you can give as they learn to be their main physician.
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