Adolescent Health

About This Course

Knowledge and Insight (Understanding)
• Erikson’s psychosocial tasks for adolescents: identity formation versus confusion; relations with parents, peers, partners.
• Biopsychosocial approach to sexuality and sexual health.
• Biopsychology of sexual orientation versus gender dysphoria.
• Biopsychosocial developmental effects of chronic conditions on adolescents, including effects on autonomy and compliance.


Application of Knowledge & Insight
• Psychosocial assessment using H.E.A.D.S.S. framework (used in ideal settings versus time-pressured busy clinic settings).
• Sleep physiology, sleep hygiene and identifying risks for sleep disorders.
• Mental health screening: spirituality, moods, anxiety, stress, bullying/cyberbullying, depression, suicidal threats, including maladaptation, coping mechanisms and resilience building.
• Addiction screening: gaming, social media, internet, smoking, alcohol, substance use, other risk-taking behaviours.

Appraisal (formation of a judgement)
• Growth and development: pubertal stages, early mid to late adolescence.
• Normal versus abnormal behaviours: adolescent adjustment reactions versus behavioural problems; oppositional defiant disorders, conduct issues.
• Learning issues: dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autistic spectrum disorders.
• Eating disorders: normal versus abnormal dieting.
• The pregnant teen.
• Contraception, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screening and management.
• Skin problems such as acne, and related psychosocial effects.
Functional pains (psychosomatisation), identifying red flags for organic conditions, including heavy menstruation bleeding.

Communication Skills
• Youth friendly consultation: confidentiality, ethics, medico-legal.
• Motivational interviewing: strategies to facilitate adolescent behaviour change.
• Anticipatory guidance for adolescents (for parents/ caregivers).