II. Precautions
- Target the history to the developmental stage of the patient
- Adolescent and Young Adult Health Maintenance spans a broad swath of development
- See Adolescent Development
III. Approach: Mnemonic -HEEADSSS
- Home environment
- Education
- Employment
- Eating
- Activities
- Electronic Media Use in Children (Screen Time and Social Media use)
- Physical Activity
- Best friend
- Drugs
- Sexuality (Contraception, Sexually Transmitted Infection)
- Suicide (and Major Depression)
- Safety (and Social Media Use in Adolescents)
IV. History: Home Life
- Who do you live with?
- Where do you live?
- How many of you share the same bedroom?
- Who can you talk to about things?
- Do you get along with your family?
- What would you change about your family?
- Are there new people in your home?
- Are you allowed to come and go as you want?
- Have you ever been kicked out of your home?
- Have you ever been in Foster Care?
- Have you ever been arrested or been in jail or prison?
- Have you ever runaway?
- Have you moved recently?
V. History: Education
- What grade are you in?
- What are your favorite subjects?
- What are your grades like?
- How many different schools have you attended in the last 4 years?
- Do you ever skip school?
- Have you ever dropped out of school?
- Have you had to repeat classes or repeat a year of school due to failing grades?
- Have you ever been suspended or expelled from school?
- What do you want to do when you are done with school?
- Do you have a job?
- How do you make money?
VI. History: Activities
- Tell me about a day in your life
- What type of activities do you do each day?
- What do you do for fun or for hobbies?
- What do you do on weekends?
- Do you have many friends?
- Do you play sports?
- How much television or online entertainment do you watch each day?
- Do you wear Seat Belts?
VII. History: Drugs
- Do you smoke Cigarettes, including Electronic Cigarettes?
- Do you smoke Marijuana or weed?
- Do you drink Alcohol?
- How much?
- Where do you get it?
- Have you ever tried other drugs?
- What type of drugs?
- How did you pay for them?
- Do you ever get sick, pass out or have a hangover from drugs or Alcohol?
- Do you ever use drugs or Alcohol to escape from reality?
- Have you ever done anything you did not want to do when you were high, drunk or passed out?
VIII. History: Suicide and Safety
IX. History: Sex
- Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?
- How old are they?
- How did you meet?
- How many people have you had sex with in your lifetime?
- When was the last time you had sex?
- Have you ever been pregnant?
- Have you ever had a Sexually Transmitted Infection (e.g. Chlamydia, Trichomonas, Gonorrhea)?
- Do you use protection (e.g. Condoms)?
- Have you ever been pressured into doing things sexually you did not want to do?
- Some people trade sex for money, clothes, drugs or housing. Do you know anyone who does this?
- Has anyone ever asked you to do sexual things for money?
X. History: Social Media
- See Social Media Use in Adolescents
- How many hours do you spend per day in front of a screen (e.g. computer, television, smartphone)?
- Do you wish you spent less time on Screen Time?
- Some of my patients spend most of the free time online. What types of things do you do online?
- When was the last time you sent a text message while driving?
- Have you messaged photos or texts that you later regretted?
- Have any of your friends been harmed by their time spent online?
- How often do you view pornography online (nude photos or videos)?
- Have you ever sent unclothed pictures of yourself to anyone online?
XI. Resources
XII. References
- Roszcynialski, Irvine and Walter (2018) Crit Dec Emerg Med 32(12): 3-10