Retrospective Analysis of Adolescent Outpatient Attendances

Background: Adolescence represents a unique time of transition to adulthood. Our hospital group encompasses 6 hospital sites catering to 100 000 individuals under 18 years of age, approximately 18 387 of which are aged between between 14 to 16 years. Traditionally our Paediatric Department accepted new patients up until their 14^th birthday, while those with chronic illnesses remained under Paediatric care until completion of second level education and were then transitioned to adult services. Our data addresses the concern of expanding the Paediatric field of inclusion to incorporate a growing number of adolescence and the impact this may have on the provisions of healthcare across many specialties.

Objective: The objective of our study is to compile data on outpatients between 14 to 16 years of age in our hospital group and to acknowledge the need to appropriately develop sustainable support models for this age group.

Methods: We looked at a 10 year study period between 2006 to 2016. Using the hospital’s electronic database, we identified outpatient attendances of patients aged between 14 and 16 years. Details of patient demographics, symptomatology, clinic attendances and consultant(s) seen were documented.

Results: Over our 10-year study period 41 456 patient contacts met the criteria for inclusion, 7 828 (19%) of these were under direct Paediatric care and 33 628 patients required assistance from other departments. Of the 25 departments offering assistance the most prevalent in order of frequency were Orthopaedics, Otolaryngology, Maxillofacial and Dermatology.

Conclusion: Our data highlights the demand placed on staff working in Paediatrics upon the extension of the Paediatric age profile. Future work to improve the quality of adolescent outpatient services should emphasize multidisciplinary team work whereby relevant specialties are working together under the leadership of an Adolescent Medicine Physician. Planning for health services is essential to ensure that clinical services are able to meet the current and future needs of the population it serves.