Adolescent Medicine

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Health Services at Riley Hospital for Children

Adolescence is the period of life between childhood and adulthood, and it is often a challenging time for youngsters and their families. This is a period of personality development and physical change, during which young people have many unique needs. Occasionally a physical, behavioral or emotional problem may persist or be difficult to solve. The Adolescent Health Program of Indiana University Medical Center addresses these needs, and provides a comprehensive range of health-related services for young people 11 through 24 years of age.

A Special Team For Adolescent Health

Our interdisciplinary health team is specially trained in evaluating and caring for the problems of adolescents. Our physicians, pediatricians and internists have received additional specialty training in adolescent medicine. The care team also includes nurses and nurse practitioners, psychologists, dietitians, and social workers. Our approach is to provide immediate attention to the problem and to help each young person and family adopt healthy life-styles and coping mechanisms for the long term.

When to Get Help For Your Child

As a parent or other guardian, you may seek medical help for an adolescent because you are worried about behavior, physical symptoms or some emotional difficulties. Concerns or complaints about the way a child feels or acts should never be ignored. We suggest that you (or your child) first speak with your family physician or pediatrician. Then, if efforts to solve the problem are not successful, or if you are not able to find the professional help you need, you may call our program directly or ask your doctor for a referral.

The Adolescent Health Program is dedicated to any problem in an adolescent which persists or requires more specialized treatment than is usually available at the primary care level. Therefore, the range of services provided is quite broad and includes treatment for physical, emotional and behavioral problems:

• Acute health problems
• Chronic health problems which do not respond to treatment
• Reproductive health care including gynecological and menstrual problems, family planning, and prevention
• Evaluation and treatment of eating disorders and nutritional problems, including obesity and diabetes
• Special programs for older adolescents and young adults with diabetes
• Individual and group counseling for depression, stress, alcohol, and family problems

For more information...

For more Information about our services for adolescents or to schedule an appointment, please ask your family doctor for a referral, or call us at (317) 274-8812 or fax at (317) 274-0133. Depending on the services, patients are seen at several locations at IU Medical Center as well as at community health centers throughout Indianapolis. Adolescents requiring hospitalization for medical needs are cared for in a special inpatient unit in Riley Hospital for Children.