Adolescent friendly health care: the experience of Switzerland

Abstract

Background: The presentation will be based on the experience gained since twenty years at the Interdisciplinary Division for Adolescent Health (“DISA”/Department of Pediatrics, University hospital of Lausanne) and within the Euteach program (European Training in Effective Adolescent Care and Health / www.euteach.com). Objectives 1. Review how the principles of Adolescent Friendly Health Care can be implemented and applied within a multidisciplinary Unit. 2. Appraise how the quality of the health care services can be monitored through a regular certification process (ISO 9000:2001). 3. Emphasize some crucial ingredients of communication skills with young people. 4. Consider how communication skills can be taught/learned by health professionals. Content: The DISA, founded in 1998, stresses values such as an interprofessional approach to adolescent care, a holistic vision of health, integration of somatic and psychosocial issues, and youth empowerment. It provides each year 4000 consultations for around 1000 often disadvantaged young patients aged 12 to 20 with complex situations such as chronic conditions, functional disorders, gynecological/SRH problems, substance use, etc. Since 2006, the Unit is ISO certified (ISO 9000:2001): the certification process tackles several aspects of the everyday tasks of the Unit, such as guidelines governing health care and treatment, collaboration protocols, procedures for the follow-up of decisions, or surveys on adolescents’ satisfaction. The DISA has a strong training component, targeting medical/nursing students and residents. Their one to twelve months stays stress the importance of communication skills with adolescents, with the support of a special program of adolescent simulated patients (the presentation will display a video example). Conclusion: The DISA, now a WHO collaborating center in the field of school and adolescent health, is recognized as a center of excellence in adolescent medicine and health regionally, nationally, and internationally. By the end of the presentation, participants will have gained more insight into how to provide evidence-based effective health care to adolescents.