Ethics in Adolescent Medicine

Few patient age groups are able to spark controversy the way adolescents can. There is even debate over which patients should be included in this group. Does adolescence begin at puberty? At age 13? Does it end at age 18? After college?. A second controversy surrounds the question of which medical specialties should rightly be involved in treating teenage patients-pediatricians? family practice? internal medicine? adolescent specialists? adult or pediatric subspecialties?. Given the range of ages as well as medical specialties involved in the care of teens, the ethical dilemmas raised in this month's issue should resonate with nearly every physician in every specialty.

Volume 7, Number 3: 203-264 Full Issue PDF