Teen Hub

The teen years are tough. You’re learning who you are, what you think and feel, and how you fit into this constantly changing world. Just when you get the hang of things, bam! You’re 18, a legal adult, and the world expects a lot more from you. 

The good news is that you are not alone, but the bad news is that managing your health takes work. Act4Kids Nevada knows that encouraging you to practice skills now will make it easier on you later, so we have created 4 Steps to Managing Your Health.

Step 1: Gathering Information

The internet puts the world at your fingertips, but it is hard to find health information from trustworthy sources (TikTok doesn’t count, sorry). Knowing where to get help before you have a problem will save you time, money, and a lot of worry. The following organizations provide teen and young adult health information backed by facts and science:

Step 2: Building Your Team

A large part of managing your own healthcare is building your team. As you move from kid doctors to adult doctors, you will need an entirely new team. Some kid doctors will help by recommending adult doctors, but it is ultimately up to you to find the team that fits your needs. Don’t forget your team can also include your parents, caregivers, or other trusted adults.

Every teen should have the following doctors on their team and see them at least once a year:
• Primary care (pediatrician or family doctor) – annual physical and wellness exam
• Dentist – oral exam and cleanings every six months
• Optometrist (eye doctor) – if you wear glasses or contacts

Individuals born with female reproductive organs should also see a Gynecologist if they are sexually active, taking birth control, or age 21+. If you have a physical or mental health diagnosis, be sure to maintain a regular schedule with your psychology doctor/counselor. If you have questions about seeing a specialist for another condition, talk to your primary care doctor for guidance.

Step 3: Keeping Records

The truth about medical records for teens – it’s basically the Wild West out there. Most health systems provide access to medical records through Patient Portals, but many limit a teen’s digital access as well as their parent’s access. Each health system has different rules, so it’s best to ask a trusted adult for help. Once you are 18, you are a legal adult with full access to all of your records. 

Once you have your records it’s time to organize them into something that you can easily access, update, and take with you to appointments. The paper version is often called a Care Notebook or a Medical Binder. You can also create a free Primary Record account to connect, organize, and share your health information. Decide which method works best for you and get started!

Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you have the right team in place, you need to work on building relationships with each doctor. They need to understand you as a whole person in order to make the best recommendations for your health. A good place to start is being prepared for every appointment. Your doctor reviews records and history before each appointment, and you should too.

The What to Share resource will help you think about information your doctor may ask for. The Appointment Worksheets will help you think of questions for your doctor, guide you during the appointment, and even help create a medical record over time. Not only are you practicing these skills, you are also training your doctor to expect the information and ask questions about it. Win, win!