I remember the first time my kids went into the doctors office alone and I had to sit in the waiting room, they were about 12 years old. It was a real wake up call, my kids are growing up and that mommy was no longer in control or advocating for them. I sat in the waiting room wondering what they were doing or talking about. According to this article
if your pediatrician doesn’t ask you to leave the room during teen visits, maybe he or she should. “The pediatrician should spend most of the office visit alone with the adolescent,” according to Dr. David Tayloe, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “It’s very important for teenagers to have confidential conversations with their pediatricians.
On top of that 75% of teens are sexually active by their senior year of high school.
What does the doctor talk to your teenager about? — chicagotribune.com
Do you think the Dr. has an obligation to share what he hears from teen with their parents?
Additional healthcare links:
- American Academy of Peridatrics – Dedicated to the health of all children
- Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents – PDF
- Bright Futures national health promotion and disease prevention initiative that addresses children’s health needs in the context of family and community.
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I have never been asked to wait outside while my teen was in with the doctor. My oldest is a girl and she does not mind me in there. However, my sons 13 and almost 12 have their physicals this month and I think they would prefer mom out of the room while the doc is examining them, at least their private areas. So, I will give them their privacy during the exam portion – I do have some things I need to discuss with the doc, so will be in the room at the beginning and end of the appointment.
I do not have a problem with the doc talking to my teen privately. I do believe the doc will let me know if he has concerns after such talks.