The adolescent medicine team provide outpatient and inpatient care and management to adolescents (12 – 18 years) with a variety of health and illness concerns. The focus is on those young people for whom adolescence has become a factor in their health; either part of the solution or contributing to their concerns.

Many patients of the adolescent medicine team have:

• Complex social and emotional backgrounds
• Struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome or similar difficulties
• Physical symptoms due to distress (somatisation)
  

The paediatricians in the team work with their adolescent patients, their families and schools to promote the capacity for adherence with the treatment and self-management. When suitable, the team refer patients to more specific services as required. 

The adolescent medicine doctors are also part of the RCH’s Gender Service and Eating Disorders Service and work closely with other medical specialities across the RCH.