At Duke Children’s Primary Care, we offer specialized services for adolescents and young adults 12 to 25 years of age. These services include annual physicals, sports participation exams, camp and college physicals, acute care appointments, management of chronic health concerns, and specialty consultations. Our staff includes physicians who have expertise in caring for patients during this important time of life.  

Both adolescents and their families benefit from guidance during these complex and critical years. Our goal is to work in a family-centered manner to ensure that the physical, mental, and emotional health needs of the adolescent are met. Additionally, we partner with pediatric subspecialists throughout the Duke system to ensure that our patients and families have access to the very best care for even the most challenging concerns.

 Comprehensive visits to our clinics include:

• Brief interview with the adolescent and parent, if present
• Adolescent-only interview focusing on home life, school/education, activities, future plans, friendships, diet/nutrition, sexual development, mental health, at-risk behaviors and safety
• Physical examination
• Immunizations and laboratory tests, as needed
• Final wrap-up portion with both the adolescent and parent 

We ask parents to wait outside for part of the interview so that we can work alone with the adolescent to:

• Understand better his/her life
• Support his/her development and personal responsibility
• Ensure his/her safety
• Reaffirm the importance of a strong relationship and regular communication with parents

We encourage each adolescent to manage his/her own healthcare needs, including managing medications, seeking medical care, and making ongoing healthy life choices. As the adolescent grows into adulthood, we ask for more direct input and encourage more personal responsibility.

We also support the adolescent’s growth in ways outside of medical care, including school achievement, development of future goals and plans, and healthy friendships. 

Please call us at 919.620.5333 to schedule an appointment.

Adolescent Medicine Consultations

The Duke Adolescent Medicine Program offers consultative services to support primary care clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing management of a variety of complex issues that arise in adolescence and young adulthood.

Our adolescent medicine trained staff places a priority on evidence-based decision making, clear communication with primary care clinicians, and a patient- and family-centered approach.

As part of a major academic medical center, our adolescent medicine consultative service works in close collaboration with a variety of other specialty services at Duke. Our team will assist in coordination of care to ensure comprehensive and excellent services.

For detailed information about adolescent medicine consultations, please visit dukehealth.org.