Recorded presentation

Beverly Mulvihill, PhD¹, Francis X. Mulvihill, PhD², Anita Jackson, BA³, Melissa Romaire, BS³, and Cathy Caldwell⁴. (1) Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, 320 Ryals Building, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, (205)975-7942, bmulvihi@uab.edu, (2) School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard Room 330, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, (3) School of Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard Room 320, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, (4) Children's Health Insurance Program, Alabama Department of Public Health, 201 Monroe Street, Montgomery, AL 36103

Introduction. National organizations (e.g., AAP, MCHB, AMA) recommend that health care personnel provide guidance for adolescents in specific content areas. This paper examines the effect that enrollment in Alabama’s SCHIP had on adolescents’ and providers’ discussion of these topics.

Methods. A retrospective survey was sent to adolescents in Alabama’s SCHIP who re-enrolled for a second year, October 1999-September 2000, (N=3472) to describe communication with their providers in recommended content areas before and after enrollment (n=1689 respondents; response rate=49%).

Analysis. Bivariate analyses detailed before and after enrollment differences in communication areas. Linear regressions examined the association between enrollment and discussing key issues: general communication, confidentiality, unintentional injury/violence prevention, substance abuse, sexual health, diet\exercise, and mental health.

Results. After enrollment, the number of adolescents who discussed at least one issue increased (p<0.05). Specific items ranged from 14%-39% (before) to 21.2%-55.2% (after) for diet\exercise and from 7.7%-13.4% (before) to 11.9%-20.6% (after) for mental health. Older adolescents, females and adolescents with special needs were significantly more likely than their counterparts to experience positive change in communication for more than one topic.

Implications. Adolescent-provider communication in key areas increased for those enrolled in Alabama’s SCHIP as compared to before enrollment. Programs specifically designed for children and adolescents, such as SCHIP, can raise awareness and increase the number of providers discussing relevant issues with adolescents, but many adolescents in this survey still did not receive the recommended guidance.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to

• Articulate five specific areas recommended for anticipatory guidance for adolescents; 2)Describe how adolescent-provider communication changed for specific subgroups after enrollment in SCHIP 3)Apply the information presented to strategies to increase adolescent-provider communication

Keywords: Communication, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation