Modern Approaches to the Treatment of Adolescents

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Abstract

In the last decade the public has learnt to treat adolescents as a group with an identity of its own. This group does not have as yet a well developed and established medical service. It has lately become apparent that new medical services are required in order to keep healthy adolescents. The unique characteristics of the adolescents group push them into trying new experiences, such as alcohol, drugs, prostitution, and to a critical emotional restlessness. Services are needed mainly for problems of addiction, emotional disorders, suicide, growth and sexual development, and for situations involving sexual behaviour. The unit to deal with the adolescents group should basically rely on a nursing staff. The physician should be assisted by a nurse, a social worker, a dietician, etc. so he can spare more time to deal with the more complex problems. The involvement of a psychiatric and psychological staff enhances the importance of the whole program. Pediatricians and adult specialists, such as gynecologists, should also be available for consultation. Meetings among the staff members are essential in order to deal with a specific problem from different angles. Open lines for emergencies and legal advice are of the highest importance. The comprehensive operational staff is able to provide a better treatment and better understanding of adolescents and their problems. An advisory group of adolescents for adolescents can be very effective for better communication between the two groups - of adolescents and the adults. The health condition of the adolescent population has a direct influence upon the health of the next generation. The adolescents group is a group with an identity of its own. It is known that these youngsters do not belong any more to the world of children, but on the other hand they still do not belong to the adult world (1-3). The universal character of this spreading phenomenon is already accepted throughout the world.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)181-190
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health
Volume1
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1985

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