tips for adolescent rotation

[medready2005]

---

Members do not see this ad.

hey all

just wondering if anyone had any pearls of wisdom for a PGY-1 starting an adolescent rotation in july. what topics should i brush up on?, any practical bits of info you all can pass along? thanks 4 for the help!

 

[KidDr]

hey all

just wondering if anyone had any pearls of wisdom for a PGY-1 starting an adolescent rotation in july. what topics should i brush up on?, any practical bits of info you all can pass along? thanks 4 for the help!

some topics I can think of off the top of my head:
typical screening questions/labs for healthy adolescents
dysmenorrhea management
amenorrhea (primary and secondary) workup and management
dysfunctional uterine bleeding management
PID diagnosis and treatment
STI diagnosis and treatment
contraception
depression diagnosis and treatment
acne treatment
community resources for adolescents (this is going to be location-specific)

I'm sure there's a lot more than that...but those should get you started.

 

[J-Rad]

If you just remember that they are all crazy, diseased, and (if female) pregnant until proven otherwise you'll do fine (this is what makes these walking petri dishes fun and interesting).

KidDr. put together a great list. I'd add as a corollary to a few points to learn the acronym HEADSS exam (for general screening) and the acronym SIGECAPS for depression screening. I've never liked acronym mnemonics, but these two I actually remember.

Preparticipation sports screening and some basic and common MSK complaints (knee pain, low back pain) would be worthwhile to review as well.

Lastly brush up on how to do a good and painless pelvic exam.

 

[medready2005]

excellent advice J-Rad and Kid Dr

thanks!

 

[bks524]

Remember to ask parents to leave the room for the sex and drug questions.

 

[Stitch]

Agree with J-Rad's initial statements.

Also make sure you know the confidentiality laws in your state. Most states protect the patient so they can seek medical care, but you should be sure before you make promises.

 

[edmadison]

The sports stuff is really key: be especially comfortable with knee stuff. I would study a little about scoliosis. I had a fair number of referrals from schools for positive scoli screens. This actually somewhat controversial now.

Ed

 

[waldenwoods]

Was there a resource that you found that details the management of most/all of the common adolescent issues?

 

[pingouin]

I was a social worker on an adolescent med team for 2 years. All of the above re: gyn issues, plus eating disorders, eating disorders, eating disorders. Did I mention eating disorders?

Also, adolescent med programs may focus on different issues depending on the interests of the faculty members. so whereas ours was primarily EDs and gyn, another local hospital focused on advocacy for adolescent issues. Might be helpful to see what your program's specific interests are.