RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Treating Teens: Considerations When Adolescents Want to Use Complementary and Alternative Medicine
JF Pediatrics
JO Pediatrics
FD American Academy of Pediatrics
SP S161
OP S166
DO 10.1542/peds.2010-2720D
VO 128
IS Supplement 4
A1 Gilmour, Joan
A1 Harrison, Christine
A1 Asadi, Leyla
A1 Cohen, Michael H.
A1 Vohra, Sunita
YR 2011
UL http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/Supplement_4/S161.abstract
AB In this article we examine decision-making about complementary and alternative medicine use when the patient is an adolescent. A case scenario describes patient-parent conflict when a 14-year-old boy who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis that has continued to progress even with medication refuses recommended surgery despite his physician's and parents' support for that option; he prefers homeopathy instead. We address (1) who has decision-making authority about treatment for young people, (2) how to determine if a young person can consent to or refuse treatment, (3) special considerations when counseling and treating adolescents (whether they can decide about treatment for themselves), and (4) parent-child conflicts about treatment. In addition, we suggest ways that health care providers can foster a trusting relationship with patients and parents.