Adolescent risk behavior screening: the difference between patients who come in frequently and infrequently.
Charts were examined retrospectively to identify evidence of risk behavior screening in adolescents, identified from billing data as visiting at least 9 times during a 1-year period (n=55), frequent attenders (FA). These were matched 2:1 on age, gender, and ethnicity with 121 nonfrequent attenders (NFA), < or = 3 visits in 1 year. FA had more evidence of risk behavior screening than NFA, but less preventive care. Risk screening in males occurred less than in females in both FA and NFA. Chart review demonstrated many missed opportunities. Providers are encouraged to fully utilize well teen exams as well as acute visits for risk behavior screening.
Zink
Therese M
TM
Department of Family Medicin, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0582, USA.
Levin
Linda
L
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors