Tulsa Title X Clinics:
Refer Youth for Confidential + Free Care in Tulsa
Being Teen Friendly
A how-to guide for being teen friendly as a healthcare provider.
- Posters and pamphlets posted on the walls with information that regards teens and parents
- Display age-appropriate materials
- Designate a separate waiting room for teens who are nervous
- Provide one-on-one counseling for those who are uncomfortable sharing
- Make contraceptives and condoms easily available for teens
- Be friendly when a new patient comes in
- Allow same-day appointments or walk-ins
- Respect their privacy and guide them to a separate room if they do not feel comfortable talking at the front desk
- Offer for any parents to stay in the waiting room while their child speaks to you privately
- Discuss the privacy policies of the patient (HIPAA)
- Respect their choices in decision making, guiding them to the direction of protection and preventative measures
- Use inclusive terms when talking to them about their partners
- Encourage them to come back for a check-up
- Contact the patient (using their preferred method of communication) about actions plans, counseling, and lab results
- Refer teen patients to a trusted provider
- Encourage the patient to share with their friends what they have learned from the visit
- Greet your patients when they are fully clothed; this shows that you care about consent
- Ask your patients if it is okay to be touched before you perform a physical exam
- Check in during the exam; ensure your patient that you are there for them if they have any questions or doubts. Always ask how the patient is doing and if they are feeling any discomfort
- Stop if your patient says “no” or is uncomfortable; this shows that you are respecting their decision to further (or discontinue) the exam or conversation
- Consent applies to birth control too; if your patient does not agree to be put on birth control, do not force them into the decision
- Always get consent before performing an exam under anesthesia; explain why the process will be occurring and how the process will be followed through
Laws and Reporting
Important legal information for healthcare providers working with youth.
Having reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect. This also includes sexual abuse, rape, anal or oral sodomy, sexual exploitation, enabling child abuse, enabling child neglect, enabling sexual abuse and enabling sexual exploitation.
- Abuse – harm or threatened harm to a child’s health, safety or welfare by a person responsible for the child’s health or safety including sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
- Neglect – failure to provide supervision, adequate nurturing and affection, food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, appropriate education, appropriate medical, dental, or behavioral care. Also includes failure to protect a child from exposure to the use/sale/manufacture of illegal drugs, illegal activities or sexual acts/materials that are not age appropriate.
- Age 13 + 14 – Report must be made even if patient states relationship is consensual or parent / guardian is aware and consents
- Age 15 – Report must be made if partner is older than 18
- Age 16 – Can consent with anyone 15 years or older
- 13 and 14 year olds cannot consent to sex with anyone
- 15 year olds can consent to sex with a person whose age is 15 – 18
- 16 year olds can consent to sex with anyone older than 14
- No person can be convicted of rape if the victim is over 14 unless person is over 18
Sexual abuse
- Includes but not limited to: rape, incest and lewd or indecent acts or proposals made to a child.
Statutory Rape
- Sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal penetration) where victim is under age 16 or cannot consent.
- The victim is under legal custody or supervision of local, state or federal government and engages in sexual intercourse with an employee of any of those agencies.
- The victim is at least 16, but less than 20, and is a student under the custody/supervision of any school with a person who is age 18 and an employee of the school.
- The victim is 19 or younger and engages in sexual intercourse with a foster parent.
- The victim is age 16 or 17 and engages in sexual intercourse with someone who is responsible for child’s health, safety, and welfare. (Parent, guardian, foster parent, or other adults living in home.)
Sexual Assault
- Not separately defined.
Neglect
- Failure to provide adequate supervision, nurturing and affection, food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, hygiene and education.
- Failure to provide adequate medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare.
- Exposure to illegal drugs, illegal activities, sexual acts or abandonment.
Provider Curated Resources
Recommendations and best practice documents along with easily printable forms for use in your practice.
- Confidentiality policy (AAFP Adolescent Healthcare)
- Information on Confidential Healthcare Services (AAP)
- Policy Compendium (Center for Adolescent Health and the Law)
- STI Fact Sheets (CDC)
- Parent Handout Explaining Why One-on-One Time is Important (CDC)
- Sample Transition Letter for 11/12 Year Old Patients
- Letter to Parents of Preteen Patients Discussing Adolescent Confidentiality (NASPAG)
- Adolescent Health Risk Assessment Survey for Use During Teen Visits (NASPAG)
- Youth Friendly Materials including Posters for Medical Offices (UMHS)
- Office Based Care for Trans and LGBTQIAA2S+ Youth (AAP)
- OU Sexual and Gender Identity Issues Clinic (Roy G. Biv Program) OKC
- Q Card Project (Amplify can provide these to your clinic, contact us)
Additional Resources