Hospitalized Adolescents' Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health Discussions. Hosp Pediatr 2024 Jul 01;14(7):548-555
Date
06/18/2024Pubmed ID
38887815DOI
10.1542/hpeds.2023-007606Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85198129142 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Experts recommend that providers discuss adolescent patients' sexual and reproductive health (SRH) at any health care encounter, including hospitalizations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain insight into hospitalized adolescents' experiences and perspectives on SRH discussions (SHDs) to better inform patient-centered care.
METHODS: Private semistructured interviews were conducted with hospitalized adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. Interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes were developed through an iterative process with focus on the primary research aim.
RESULTS: Twenty participants were interviewed with a median age of 15.4 years. Adolescents expressed a range of preferences related to SHDs with providers. Themes included (1) experiences discussing SRH with providers, (2) SHDs during hospitalization, (3) communication preferences, and (4) perceptions of why providers initiate SHDs. Viewpoints about SHDs during hospitalizations varied, including that they addressed unmet needs, as well as that they seemed irrelevant to some participants. Aspects that facilitate SHDs include brevity with relevant depth, nonjudgmental provider demeanor, and reassurance of privacy. Some participants believed providers could judge the depth of discussion needed on the basis of the adolescent's age or personality.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights variation in adolescents' preferences around SHDs with health care providers. Providers should initiate SHDs with statements of purpose and confidentiality. Given the variation in adolescents' perspectives, tools to privately collect self-reported behaviors before an SHD may help providers frame the conversation to the adolescent's specific SRH needs and communication style preferences.
Author List
McFadden V, Porada K, Emlen N, Pickett ML, Quinn KAuthors
Vanessa Mcfadden MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMichelle L. Pickett MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Katherine Quinn PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdolescent, Hospitalized
Communication
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Patient-Centered Care
Physician-Patient Relations
Qualitative Research
Reproductive Health
Sexual Health
