Attitudes, knowledge, and training of medical residents regarding adolescent health issues

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 443 - 449
• Main Authors: Figueroa, Elizabeth, Kolasa, Kathryn M., Horner, Ronnie E., Murphy, Maureen, Dent, Mary F., Ausherman, Judith A., Irons, Thomas G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.09.1991; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Health Services - legislation & jurisprudence; Adolescent Health Services - trends; Adolescent Medicine - education; Adolescent Medicine - statistics & numerical data; Adolescent medicine Medical education Primary care; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Competence; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Internship and Residency; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; North Carolina; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Teaching; Teaching. Deontology. Ethics. Legislation; North Carolina; Adolescent medicine Medical education Primary care; Pediatrics; Questionnaire; Attitude; Primary health care; Physician; Psychometrics; Health education; Knowledge; Occupational training; Public health
• DOI: 10.1016/1054-139X(91)90021-O
• ISSN: 1054-139X

This study examined attitudes, knowledge, and training relating to adolescent health issues, of medical residents in six different specialities who provide care to adolescents, at a southern, rural medical school without an organized curriculum in adolescent medicine. An original 18-item questionnaire was developed which examined four broad healthcare categories: general medicine, sexuality, high-risk behaviors, and development. Of 118 residents 91 (77%) responded. For any health care area, residents reported managing fewer than 10 adolescent patients and often fewer than 3 patients. However, they reported comfort and confidence and little desire for additional training in most of these areas. There were few differences between specialties or year of training. Almost one-half (42%) believed that pediatric care should end by age 16 years; 32% thought it should end at age 18 years. However, there was little support for pediatricians providing prenatal care to pregnant teens. These findings are useful for planning curriculum in ambulatory adolescent health and developing strategies for encouraging residents to understand and embrace the challenge of adolescent health care.