RT Book, Section A1 Irwin Jr., Charles E. A2 Rudolph, Colin D. A2 Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 Lister, George E. A2 First, Lewis R. A2 Gershon, Anne A. SR Print(0) ID 6736923 T1 Chapter 67. The Adolescent Visit T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e YR 2011 FD 2011 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-149723-7 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6736923 RD 2024/03/28 AB Establishing herself or himself as the primary care physician for an adolescent patient is a formidable task for a pediatrician. A transition interview with patients and their families at approximately 10 years of age is an effective approach for developing a new relationship. During this interview, the pediatrician must inform the parents and the patient about the changing nature of the relationship with the doctor: the need for the doctor to have time alone with the patient, the need to query the young person directly, the need for the patient to be examined alone, and the need of the patient to be encouraged to generate his or her own questions for the doctor. These changes are best done through a discussion of normal adolescence and the need for adolescents to begin to make some decisions in a more independent manner with guidance and support from their families. During this transition interview, the clinician should provide the adolescent and family with some general information regarding the normal physiological and psychosocial changes of adolescence. Depending on the age and psychosocial functioning of the adolescent, the clinician may want to encourage the young person to come to the next clinical visit alone. As the adolescent completes the second decade of life, the pediatrician wants the young adult to be capable of assuming responsibility for his or her own health care.1-3