scenario question: discussing with a parent and child separately

[DatInterviewDood]

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Let's say a teenage boy wants a doctor's note to get out of gym class because he feels self-conscious. He shows up at the clinic with his mom and asks me for a note.

Before making any decision, I want to learn about the boy's concerns and also talk to the parent. But I want to do so privately with both the parent and child so that they can each talk to me without pressure / influence. Is asking to talk to the parent and child separately appropriate even though he's a minor? Also, would the parent have the "final say" in the decision?

 

[Dagrimsta1]

I would speak to them individually to gauge their opinions and concerns, eventually bring them in a room together and try to create a unified opinion without revealing anything too private. I think the parent has the final say but my goal would be to make the parent understand the situation better, assuming their is a misunderstanding. Sometimes is about being the mediating variable over everything else.

 

[seanm028]

Let's say a teenage boy wants a doctor's note to get out of gym class because he feels self-conscious. He shows up at the clinic with his mom and asks me for a note.

Before making any decision, I want to learn about the boy's concerns and also talk to the parent. But I want to do so privately with both the parent and child so that they can each talk to me without pressure / influence. Is asking to talk to the parent and child separately appropriate even though he's a minor? Also, would the parent have the "final say" in the decision?

I work in a pediatric ED, and I would say that it is absolutely appropriate to ask to speak to them separately, especially with the teenage population. Getting the parent to agree can sometimes be a problem, though, especially with "helicopter parents." If you're concerned about appropriateness, one option is to get a "chaperone" (another staff member, ideally the same gender as the patient, to sit in the room and observe, and act as a witness in case of accusations). Of course, that can sometimes make the patient feel less comfortable and therefore less likely to open up about what's going on. You have to judge each situation individually, and obviously take in to account facility policy.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

Let's say a teenage boy wants a doctor's note to get out of gym class because he feels self-conscious. He shows up at the clinic with his mom and asks me for a note.

Before making any decision, I want to learn about the boy's concerns and also talk to the parent. But I want to do so privately with both the parent and child so that they can each talk to me without pressure / influence. Is asking to talk to the parent and child separately appropriate even though he's a minor? Also, would the parent have the "final say" in the decision?

I always interviewed adolescents separately from their parents. If you want honesty, you usually can't have parents around.

 

[Ismet]

Let's say a teenage boy wants a doctor's note to get out of gym class because he feels self-conscious. He shows up at the clinic with his mom and asks me for a note.

Before making any decision, I want to learn about the boy's concerns and also talk to the parent. But I want to do so privately with both the parent and child so that they can each talk to me without pressure / influence. Is asking to talk to the parent and child separately appropriate even though he's a minor? Also, would the parent have the "final say" in the decision?

Always always always interview teenagers alone. I let the parent in the room for most of the visit, but then I kick them out to talk to the patient alone. Specifically for the more sensitive topics like drugs, mental health, sexual activity, etc, but also to see if there's anything else they want to discuss one-on-one. I've had a number of patients disclose things to me that affected their health and they didn't want their parents to know about.

And as for the parent having the final say, this varies by state, but teens can have the right to confidentiality on things like birth control, STDs, pregnancy, drug use, and mental health. For example, in my state, minors don't need parental consent for abortions, pregnancy testing, or STD testing. Of course you have to be careful with insurance so the parent doesn't see the bill for those things, but that's getting beyond the scope of this scenario for a pre-med.

 

[aalamruad]

Always always always interview teenagers alone. I let the parent in the room for most of the visit, but then I kick them out to talk to the patient alone. Specifically for the more sensitive topics like drugs, mental health, sexual activity, etc, but also to see if there's anything else they want to discuss one-on-one. I've had a number of patients disclose things to me that affected their health and they didn't want their parents to know about.

And as for the parent having the final say, this varies by state, but teens can have the right to confidentiality on things like birth control, STDs, pregnancy, drug use, and mental health. For example, in my state, minors don't need parental consent for abortions, pregnancy testing, or STD testing. Of course you have to be careful with insurance so the parent doesn't see the bill for those things, but that's getting beyond the scope of this scenario for a pre-med.

At what age can you start interviewing kids alone? i.e. for something like suspected child abuse, I wold assume you can interview them alone at very young ages, correct?

 

[Ismet]

At what age can you start interviewing kids alone? i.e. for something like suspected child abuse, I wold assume you can interview them alone at very young ages, correct?

Around 11-12. Younger than that on a case by case basis. I've only had 2 suspected NAT patients thus far (both under 10) and yes they were interviewed alone but with a non-family witness (a nurse or CPS case worker).

 

[Tenk]

Perfectly fine and normal. If mom gives you a strange look just tell them it's practice for when they are an adult. Best to also have a chaperone if any strange looks are given. Any abuse cases you should have a chaperone at all times.