Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Study
Background: Adolescents in the United States are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Adolescent-centered health services may reduce barriers to health care; yet, limited research has focused on adolescents’ own perspectives on patient-provider com...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2017-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Primary Care & Community Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/2150131917730210 |
| _version_ | 1818834068176896000 |
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| author | Andrea J. Hoopes Samantha K. Benson Heather B. Howard Diane M. Morrison Linda K. Ko Taraneh Shafii |
| author_facet | Andrea J. Hoopes Samantha K. Benson Heather B. Howard Diane M. Morrison Linda K. Ko Taraneh Shafii |
| author_sort | Andrea J. Hoopes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Adolescents in the United States are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Adolescent-centered health services may reduce barriers to health care; yet, limited research has focused on adolescents’ own perspectives on patient-provider communication during a sexual health visit. Methods: Twenty-four adolescents (14-19 years old) seeking care in a public health clinic in Washington State participated in one-on-one qualitative interviews. Interviews explored participants’ past experiences with medical providers and their preferences regarding provider characteristics and communication strategies. Results: Interviews revealed that (1) individual patient dynamics and (2) patient-provider interaction dynamics shape the experience during a sexual health visit. Individual patient dynamics included evolving level of maturity, autonomy, and sexual experience. Patient-provider interaction dynamics were shaped by adolescents’ perceptions of providers as sources of health information who distribute valued sexual health supplies like contraception and condoms. Participant concerns about provider judgment, power differential, and lack of confidentiality also emerged as important themes. Conclusions: Adolescents demonstrate diverse and evolving needs for sexual health care and interactions with clinicians as they navigate sexual and emotional development. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T02:28:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3044fb5a44f242d0a435232e1d675e6e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-1327 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T02:28:56Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Primary Care & Community Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-3044fb5a44f242d0a435232e1d675e6e2022-12-21T20:39:45ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Primary Care & Community Health2150-13272017-10-01810.1177/2150131917730210Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative StudyAndrea J. Hoopes0Samantha K. Benson1Heather B. Howard2Diane M. Morrison3Linda K. Ko4Taraneh Shafii5Kaiser Permanente Washington, Bellevue, WA, USAUniversity of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USAUniversity of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USAUniversity of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USAFred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USAUniversity of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USABackground: Adolescents in the United States are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Adolescent-centered health services may reduce barriers to health care; yet, limited research has focused on adolescents’ own perspectives on patient-provider communication during a sexual health visit. Methods: Twenty-four adolescents (14-19 years old) seeking care in a public health clinic in Washington State participated in one-on-one qualitative interviews. Interviews explored participants’ past experiences with medical providers and their preferences regarding provider characteristics and communication strategies. Results: Interviews revealed that (1) individual patient dynamics and (2) patient-provider interaction dynamics shape the experience during a sexual health visit. Individual patient dynamics included evolving level of maturity, autonomy, and sexual experience. Patient-provider interaction dynamics were shaped by adolescents’ perceptions of providers as sources of health information who distribute valued sexual health supplies like contraception and condoms. Participant concerns about provider judgment, power differential, and lack of confidentiality also emerged as important themes. Conclusions: Adolescents demonstrate diverse and evolving needs for sexual health care and interactions with clinicians as they navigate sexual and emotional development.https://doi.org/10.1177/2150131917730210 |
| spellingShingle | Andrea J. Hoopes Samantha K. Benson Heather B. Howard Diane M. Morrison Linda K. Ko Taraneh Shafii Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Study Journal of Primary Care & Community Health |
| title | Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Adolescent Perspectives on Patient-Provider Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | adolescent perspectives on patient provider sexual health communication a qualitative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/2150131917730210 |
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