profession
Male teens withhold information from physicians
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 22, 2010
Male teenagers view primary care physicians' advice about sexual health as "superficial" and have confidentiality concerns, according to focus-group survey results in the November-December Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Twenty male teens, age 16 to 19, were interviewed about their experiences with their physicians. Many said their doctors were too "professional" and not "real" enough, discouraging open and honest communication (link).
"You wouldn't tell [your doctor] your business," one teen told researchers. "I feel like he's going to tell my mom. ... I lied to my doctor plenty of times."
The study's authors said the findings show the importance of building a relationship with teenagers through a more laid-back demeanor and careful explanation of confidentiality rules.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/11/22/prbf1122.htm.
