Taking your teenager to see a paediatrician can feel different from taking a younger child. Your teenager may answer more questions themselves, have some private time with the doctor and become more involved in decisions about tests, medicines and treatment.
As your child becomes more independent, their healthcare also needs to consider puberty, school, sleep, emotional wellbeing and long-term health. Privacy, confidentiality and consent become increasingly important, alongside helping your teenager understand their health and gradually take more responsibility for their own care.
Why Is Adolescent Healthcare Different from Care for Younger Children?
As your child becomes a teenager, their healthcare needs change as their body, communication skills and independence develop. Your teenager can often explain their symptoms and concerns themselves, so their views become more important during appointments.
Adolescent care may also cover puberty, school pressures, lifestyle and emotional wellbeing. You still provide important support, but your teenager gradually takes more responsibility for their own health.
| Area of care | Younger children | Teenagers |
| Communication | Parents often provide much of the history | The teenager is increasingly encouraged to explain symptoms and concerns themselves |
| Privacy | Appointments commonly involve the parent throughout | Some private consultation time may be offered |
| Consent | Parental responsibility often has a greater role | Teenagers may be able to consent to treatment themselves, depending on their age and understanding. |
| Health assessment | Growth, development and childhood illness are prominent | Puberty, emotional wellbeing, lifestyle, relationships and independence become increasingly relevant |
| Long-term conditions | Parents often organise medicines and appointments | Responsibility can gradually shift towards the young person |
| Future care | Mainly centred on paediatric services | Preparation for eventual adult services may become part of care |
Why Does the Paediatrician Speak Directly to Your Teenager?
As your child becomes a teenager, the paediatrician may speak directly to them about their symptoms, concerns and treatment. This helps your teenager become more confident and involved in their own healthcare.
Your information as a parent is still valuable, particularly about their medical history and changes you have noticed. The aim is to work together, giving your teenager a stronger voice while continuing to involve you appropriately in their care.
Why Might the Doctor Ask to See Your Teenager Alone?
Your teenager may be offered some private time with the paediatrician so they can discuss personal concerns more openly. This could include topics such as mood, relationships, bullying, body image or other worries they may find difficult to discuss with you present.
This does not mean the doctor thinks something is wrong. Private conversations help your teenager become more confident speaking to healthcare professionals and gradually develop the skills needed to manage their own health.
Is What Your Teenager Tells the Doctor Confidential?
Children and young people have a right to confidentiality in healthcare. If your teenager has the maturity and understanding to make decisions about sharing their information, the paediatrician will normally seek their agreement before disclosing confidential information to other people, including parents, unless there is a justified reason to share it.
Confidentiality is not absolute. Information may need to be shared if this is necessary to protect your teenager or someone else from serious harm, is in the best interests of a young person who cannot make the relevant decision, or is required by law. Where appropriate and safe to do so, the doctor should explain why information needs to be shared.
Can Teenagers Consent to Their Own Medical Treatment?
In England, young people aged 16 or 17 are generally presumed to have sufficient capacity to consent to their own medical treatment unless there is evidence otherwise. A child under 16 may also be able to consent if they have sufficient maturity and understanding to make the particular healthcare decision, including understanding the nature, purpose and likely consequences of the proposed treatment. This is commonly known as Gillick competence.
Even when you are involved in giving consent, your teenager’s views should still be listened to and taken seriously. Whatever their age, your teenager should be given information in a way they can understand and involved as fully as possible in decisions about their own healthcare.
How Does Puberty Change Medical Assessment?
Puberty brings changes in hormones, growth, body shape, skin, sleep and reproductive health, so your teenager’s medical assessment may need to consider these changes. Changes in growth, weight and development may also affect nutritional needs, medicine dosing in some circumstances and how health measurements are interpreted.
Your paediatrician may ask about periods, body image, weight, acne or other changes that could affect your teenager’s wellbeing. These questions help the doctor understand the wider picture rather than focusing only on the original symptom.
Why Might Mental Health Come Up More Often in Teenage Appointments?
As your teenager faces changes at school, friendships and home life, their mental wellbeing can become an important part of their healthcare. Your paediatrician may ask about mood, anxiety, sleep, stress and how your teenager is coping alongside their physical symptoms.
This does not mean physical symptoms are being dismissed. The aim is to understand the whole picture and identify concerns early. If the paediatrician is concerned that your teenager may be at risk of serious harm, for example because of a risk of serious self-harm or another safeguarding concern, they may need to involve other professionals or share relevant information to help keep them safe.
Why Might Lifestyle Questions Become More Detailed?
As your teenager becomes more independent, their daily habits can have a greater effect on their health. Your paediatrician may ask about sleep, exercise, diet, caffeine and, where appropriate, smoking, vaping, alcohol or recreational drug use.
These questions are not about judging your teenager. They help the doctor understand factors that may affect symptoms, mood or overall wellbeing and provide suitable advice based on your teenager’s individual circumstances.
How Might Sexual and Reproductive Health Be Discussed?
As your teenager grows older, their paediatrician may discuss topics such as periods, contraception, relationships, sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections or other sexual and reproductive health concerns when relevant. These conversations are usually handled sensitively and confidentially. How information is shared will depend on your teenager’s maturity and understanding, their best interests, any safeguarding concerns and relevant legal requirements.
Confidentiality may need to be limited if there is a safeguarding concern, such as possible abuse or exploitation, or another significant risk of harm. The aim is to give your teenager accurate information and support while keeping their safety at the centre of their care.
How Does Managing a Long-Term Condition Change During Adolescence?
If your teenager has a long-term condition, you may have managed most of their appointments, medicines and treatment when they were younger. As they grow, these responsibilities should gradually shift towards them at a pace that matches their maturity and abilities.
Your teenager can start learning about their medicines, recognising important warning signs, speaking for themselves during appointments and understanding when prescriptions or repeat medicines need to be arranged. You still provide important support, but the goal is to help them become confident in managing their health independently.
Why Might Medication Management Be Different in Teenagers?
As your teenager grows, their medicines may need to be reviewed because of changes in weight, puberty, their condition or how well the treatment is working. They may also start managing doses themselves, which can make remembering medicines more challenging.
Your paediatrician can help your teenager understand what each medicine does, how to take it and what to do if problems arise. Discussing side effects, missed doses and practical difficulties can help them become more confident with their treatment.
How Does School, College and Social Life Affect Teenage Healthcare?
Your teenager’s health can affect school, college, friendships and activities, particularly if they experience pain, tiredness or need regular appointments. Your paediatrician may ask how your teenager’s condition affects their everyday life, not just their symptoms.
The aim is to help your teenager remain involved in education and social activities as safely as possible. If your teenager needs support at school or college, their healthcare team may be able to provide relevant advice or information.
How Are Parents Involved as Teenagers Become More Independent?
You still have an important role in your teenager’s healthcare, but your role gradually changes as they become more independent. Instead of answering every question or making every decision, you can help them understand information and prepare for appointments.
Your teenager may also have some private conversations with their doctor, while you continue providing practical and emotional support. This gradual approach helps them build confidence in managing their own health while knowing you are there when they need you.
What Happens When a Teenager Has Additional Developmental or Communication Needs?
If your teenager has learning, developmental or communication needs, they may need additional support to understand information and express their views. Their ability to make a particular healthcare decision should be considered in relation to that specific decision, with appropriate communication support, rather than assumptions being made simply because of a diagnosis or disability.
The paediatrician can adapt communication by using clearer language, visual information, communication aids or extra time where appropriate. You can continue to provide support while your teenager is involved in discussions and decisions as fully as their individual abilities allow.
When Should Transition to Adult Healthcare Begin?
Transition to adult healthcare should be planned gradually rather than happening suddenly at a particular birthday. Different services may transfer young people at different ages, and NICE recommends that, where a young person will need ongoing adult health or social care services, planning for adulthood should generally begin by school Year 9, around age 13 or 14, at the latest.
The timing of the eventual transfer should take account of your teenager’s needs, maturity, health and circumstances rather than relying only on a rigid age cut-off. A transition plan can help identify what your teenager needs to learn, which adult services will become involved and how responsibility for their healthcare will gradually change.
How Can a Paediatrician Prepare Your Teenager for Adult Care?
Your paediatrician can help your teenager understand their condition, medicines and warning signs while encouraging them to speak for themselves during appointments. This gradually builds the confidence they will need to manage their healthcare more independently.
You can continue supporting your teenager during this process without managing everything for them. The aim is to help them know their health needs, understand where to get help and feel confident using adult healthcare services.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
| Parents must stay in the room for the whole teenage appointment. | No. A teenager may be offered some private consultation time while parents remain appropriately involved in their care. |
| Teenagers have no right to medical confidentiality until they turn 18. | No. Confidentiality applies to young people, although information may sometimes need to be shared for safeguarding, best interests or legal reasons. |
| A child under 16 can never consent to treatment themselves. | No. A child under 16 may consent if they have sufficient maturity and understanding to make the particular decision. This is known as Gillick competence. |
| Discussing mental health means the doctor thinks physical symptoms are psychological. | No. Adolescent healthcare considers physical and emotional wellbeing together to understand the whole picture. |
| Paediatric care automatically ends on a young person’s 18th birthday. | No. Transition should be planned in advance, and the timing of transfer depends on the service and the young person’s individual needs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you stay in the room throughout your teenager’s appointment?
You will often be involved in part of the appointment, particularly when medical history or family information is useful. However, the paediatrician may also offer your teenager some time to speak privately. How the appointment is structured will depend on your teenager’s age, needs and circumstances.
2. Why might a paediatrician speak to my teenager without me?
Your teenager may be offered some private time with the paediatrician so they can discuss personal concerns openly. This can help them become more confident communicating with healthcare professionals and discussing sensitive subjects.
3. Is my teenager’s conversation with their paediatrician confidential?
Generally, your teenager’s healthcare discussions are confidential. Information may still need to be shared without their agreement when this is necessary to protect them or someone else from serious harm, is in the best interests of a young person who cannot make the relevant decision, or is required by law.
4. Can my teenager consent to their own medical treatment?
Depending on their age, maturity and understanding, your teenager may be able to consent to their own treatment. In England, young people aged 16 and 17 are generally presumed to have capacity to consent unless there is evidence otherwise. A child under 16 may also consent when they have sufficient maturity and understanding for the particular decision, known as Gillick competence.
5. Should you prepare your teenager before their appointment?
It can help to encourage your teenager to think about their symptoms, medicines and any questions they would like to ask. Giving them an opportunity to speak for themselves during the consultation can gradually build confidence without removing your support.
6. Will you be told everything your teenager discusses with the doctor?
Not necessarily. Young people have rights to confidentiality, and information they share privately will not automatically be disclosed to you. However, relevant information may need to be shared without their agreement if this is necessary to protect them or someone else from serious harm, is in the best interests of a young person who cannot make the relevant decision, or is required by law.
7. How can teenagers become more independent with a long-term condition?
Your teenager can gradually learn to understand their diagnosis, medicines, warning signs and appointments. You can continue providing support while allowing them to take increasing responsibility at a pace that matches their maturity and abilities.
8. What if my teenager is nervous about speaking to a doctor alone?
It is completely reasonable for your teenager to tell the paediatrician if they feel nervous about speaking alone. The doctor can explain why private time is offered, answer questions about confidentiality and adapt the conversation to help your teenager feel more comfortable and confident.
9. When should my teenager start preparing for adult healthcare?
If your teenager is likely to need ongoing adult health or social care services, transition planning should usually begin well before the actual move. NICE recommends starting by school Year 9, around age 13 or 14, or immediately if a young person enters the relevant service after that point. Preparation can then continue gradually as their needs and independence develop.
10. Does paediatric care always end when my child turns 18?
Not necessarily. The age of transfer can vary between services. Where ongoing adult services will be needed, transition should be planned in advance and should take account of your teenager’s individual needs rather than relying solely on a particular birthday.
Final Thoughts: Supporting Your Teenager’s Changing Healthcare Needs
Paediatric care for teenagers is about more than treating physical symptoms. It also supports your teenager’s development, emotional wellbeing, growing independence and gradual transition towards adult healthcare. Giving them an active role in appointments and decisions can help them develop the confidence and understanding they need to manage their health.
If you’re looking for support from a paediatrician in London, you can get in touch with London Paediatric Clinic to discuss your child’s healthcare needs.
References:
- General Medical Council (GMC) (2024) 0–18 years: guidance for all doctors. Updated 13 December 2024. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/0-18-years
- General Medical Council (GMC) (2024) Communication – 0–18 years. Updated 13 December 2024. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/0-18-years/communication
- General Medical Council (GMC) (2024) Principles of confidentiality – 0–18 years. Updated 13 December 2024. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/0-18-years/principles-of-confidentiality
- NHS (2022) Consent to treatment – children and young people. Page last reviewed 8 December 2022. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/consent-to-treatment/children/
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) (no date) Healthy Child Programme – online learning: Adolescent Health Programme (12 to 18 years). Available at: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/healthy-child-programme-online-learning
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2016) Transition from children’s to adults’ services for young people using health or social care services. NICE guideline NG43. Published 24 February 2016. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng43
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2023) Transition from children’s to adults’ services. Quality standard QS140. Last updated 14 December 2023. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs140