Assessing the Knowledge and Comfort Level of US Family Medicine Residents Regarding Consenting and Confidentiality in Adolescent Health Care.

Abstract

Objectives: Organizations recommend providing confidential adolescent health care to reduce the consequences of high-risk health behaviors such as substance use, unhealthy eating patterns, and high-risk sexual behaviors. Family physicians are uniquely positioned to provide confidential counseling and care to this vulnerable population but must be trained to provide such care. This study describes the impact of formal and informal training on the knowledge of and comfort level in providing confidential adolescent healthcare among a sample of US Family Medicine residents.

Methods: Electronic surveys were distributed to all Family Medicine residents throughout the United States. We used descriptive statistics and χ² analysis where appropriate to determine the association between resident-reported receipt of training, confidence, and frequency in providing confidential adolescent health care.

Results: A total of 714 Family Medicine residents completed the survey. The majority reported no formal training in residency (50.3%). The receipt of formal and informal training in both medical school and residency was associated with a greater degree of comfort in providing confidential adolescent care and a higher likelihood of providing confidential time alone. Those reporting formal training were more likely to always provide confidential care (P = 0.001).

Conclusions: Training focused on confidential adolescent health care in medical school or residency was associated with a greater degree of comfort and a higher likelihood of providing confidential adolescent health care.