Services & Specialties
Adolescent and Transition Medicine

Supporting Teens in Times of Change

Smiling teenage girl.As a pioneer in the development of adolescent medicine in the U.S., the Division of Adolescent and Transition Medicine has been meeting the unique health care needs of adolescents and young adults in the tristate area since it was founded by Dr. Jerry Rauh in 1960. Our providers are national leaders in the field of Adolescent Medicine.

The Teen Health Center offers both primary care and consultative care services. Our multidisciplinary team of providers and staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, care managers, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and dieticians. The age range of patients seen in the Teen Health Center is generally 12 through 21 years of age, but our providers see patients from 5 to 25 years of age depending on the presenting concern.

The Division is growing to better meet the needs of teens and their families, to promote innovative training and research in adolescent health, and to engage with our community.

What is Adolescent Medicine?

Our multidisciplinary team of experts is proud to provide outstanding primary and consultative care services directed toward the unique healthcare needs of adolescents and young adults.

Adolescence is a transition period between childhood and adulthood. It is a normal developmental period characterized by major changes in physical maturity and sexuality, cognitive processes (ways of thinking and thought content), emotions, and relationships with others. The health concerns of adolescents differ distinctly from those of children and adults. Addressing the healthcare needs of this age group requires not only addressing identified health concerns, but also considering the complicated interactions between developmental changes, healthcare needs, treatment effectiveness, health education, and health promotion.

As adolescents begin to take responsibility for their own health, education and promotion of preventive healthcare is important. We teach teens about topics such as healthy eating habits, general wellness and health, prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and the effects of tobacco and other substance use.

The Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine has identified seven criteria important for providing healthcare to teens that we strive to achieve:

  • Availability of age-appropriate services
  • Visibility of adolescent, preventive, healthcare guidelines
  • Quality care
  • Confidentiality of medical information requiring adolescent consent (with encouragement of family involvement)
  • Affordability of access to care
  • Flexibility of healthcare providers to recognize and respond to individual and diverse needs of adolescents
  • Coordination of medical, mental health, social and other services

What is Transition Medicine?

The Transition Medicine team at Cincinnati Children’s partners with teenagers and young adults with chronic health conditions or developmental disabilities to create a plan for healthcare transition as they get older. Patients as young as 16 years of age can be seen by members of the Transition Medicine team.

All teenagers and young adults should receive quality healthcare that is appropriate for their age. Healthcare transition is the process of an individual graduating from the pediatric system to the adult system. It is recommended that healthcare transition should be initiated in adolescence around the age of 14.

What to Expect at your Clinic Visit

The Transition Medicine team will ask questions about your medical history, current health, prescribed medications, immunizations, and your abilities as well as your experience managing your healthcare. Our team will ask you about your life goals and will assist you in planning for changes in health insurance. Depending on your individual needs, we may provide a physical exam and have lab work completed. We will collaborate with you to establish primary and specialty care in the adult healthcare system.

Goals for Healthcare Transition

  • Build self-advocacy skills
  • Strengthen ability to develop independence
  • Assume personal responsibility to manage healthcare
  • Achieve optimal physical fitness and physical health
  • Gain knowledge about the importance of preventive healthcare
  • Establish uninterrupted medically and developmentally appropriate healthcare
  • Reach attainable levels of self-worth and emotional health

Patients with Disabilities

For teenagers and young adults who have intellectual or physical disabilities, our team will address:

  • Insurance issues
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Guardianship
  • Guidelines for transition should you require emergency room services or an inpatient hospital stay
  • The transition to adult primary and specialty care providers
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Community resources
  • Vocational services

Teen Health Center

Our specially trained experts see patients ages 12 through 25 to address a wide range of medical, social, emotional, sexual, educational and nutritional concerns. Teen Health Center

Make an Appointment

For information or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 513-636-4681. Contact Us

Research Highlights

We conduct many studies to better understand teen development, prevent unhealthy behaviors, and improve healthcare quality for teens with chronic disease. Learn More