Adolescent Medicine Services

Adolescence is the development stage between childhood and adulthood, where one is no longer a child but not yet an adult and at the stage of wanting independency but yet scared to be independent. Adolescence is also a time of "considerable physical, cognitive and social growth and change" (Hoffman, 1996). This may lead to difficulties in adjusting and adapting as one cope with the transition as well as the pending new expectations and responsibilities of the next stage of life, which may be further complicated by their medical illnesses.

We believe that effective intervention in adolescence can minimize the risk of morbidity and early mortality in adulthood. In view of the these needs, a team of dedicated Paediatricians and Psychiatrist (from NUH's University Children's Medical Institute) has established the Adolescent Medicine Service at National University Hospital, with a strong support from the Departments as well the hospital. The team also comprises of various supporting healthcare professional such as Psychologist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Dietician, Medical Social Worker, Nurse Educator, etc.

The mission of the Adolescent Medicine Service is to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary health care, health promotion as well as support for young people between ages of 10-19. This is achieved through clinical consultation, counseling, therapy, advocacy, education and research activities.

Services and Facilities

Space 10.19 - A 'hang-out' place for our patients

The Adolescent Medicine Service unit provides inpatient services, where the adolescent patients are admitted into paediatric ward, separate outpatient clinical services at Children's Clinic @ Level 4, which is located next to children playground of main building as well as a 'hang-out' area called "Space 10.19" catered for both inpatients and outpatients adolescents, which is equipped with adolescent-friendly entertainment such as Playstation, Wii, computer terminals, television, board games, magazines and the like.

We take special interests in pertinent adolescent issues such as psychosocial problems, stress management, obesity, eating disorders, self harm, suicides and chronic illness with compliance issues.

Adolescent Medicine Service also coordinates the relevant services from various existing resources, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetic, medical social services, art therapy, play therapy, and volunteer teachers, and our aim is to achieve optimal results in the care of young people. The various resources form a multi-disciplinary team in providing the following services:

• Advocacy for young people

• Adolescent and family counseling and therapy

• Education for young people & parents

• Transitional care planning and management

• Discharge planning and networking with other community services

• Weight management Program

• Eating Disorder Management Program

• Inpatient art and play therapy

• Inpatient tutoring by volunteer teacher