http://www.hivcareforyouth.com/adol?page=md-module&mod=01-02

Psychosocial Assessment

The best adolescent care starts with a solid understanding of the unique set of psychosocial issues that affect each patient. Providers should use each adolescent health visit as an opportunity to examine psychosocial issues, identify health-compromising behaviors, promote healthy lifestyles, and review pertinent developmental concerns. Young people are usually receptive to information about their bodies and health. Once relationships established on trust and respect have been formed, it is not uncommon for young patients to regard their health care provider as an adult who "gets it." Effective partnerships with youth and their families are the building blocks of cultural competence, helping young people to make the most of the health care available to them. To help establish trust, providers must:

  • Create a clinical atmosphere that is comfortable for adolescent patients and their parents
  • Effectively communicate adolescent confidentiality issues and patient rights
  • Understand the patient's spheres of influence (home, school, peers, and self) that affect health

Community Distrust of the Medical Establishment12

A recent survey of African Americans aged 15 to 44 found widespread belief in AIDS conspiracies:

  • 53% believe a cure for AIDS is being withheld from the poor
  • 44% believe people who take new medicines for HIV are human guinea pigs for the government
  • 60% believe that a lot of information about AIDS is being held back from the public

References

  1. Bogart LM, Thorburn S. Are HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs a barrier to HIV prevention among African Americans? J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2005 Feb 1;38(2):213-8.