Why Teens and Young Adults Stop Seeing Doctors Regularly

As a mom of a high school senior, I have plenty of worries about my daughter once she moves out of our home and is on her own in college. For instance, what if she never cleans her room or eats another vegetable—ever again? 

But being concerned she won’t see a doctor any longer hadn’t registered on my ever-growing list of concerns. That is, until I learned about new data which shows that when parents aren’t there to schedule appointments for their kids, well, they may not end up seeking care.

Why Teens and Young Adults May Stop Seeing Doctors

According to a study from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, teens and young adults ages 15 to 23 are at considerable risk for discontinuing medical care. Researchers found that more than 30% of males and almost 20% of females are disengaged from their health as they get older.

“Young men specifically have less practice with the healthcare system,” says Arik Marcell, MD, MPH, study co-author and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist.

Dr. Marcell explains to Parents that there are often multiple reasons why a teen or young adult stops seeing a doctor regularly:

• They may have lost or don’t understand their health insurance.
• They are unable to find a health care provider or get to an appointment.
• They have concerns over confidentiality.
• They don’t perceive a need to see a doctor. 

“They are generally healthy with no medical concerns and may be unaware that routine preventative care is important for continued good health,” adds Shannon Fox-Levine, MD, FAAP, South Florida Medical Director and pediatrician for Bluebird Kids Health.

“Another big reason is that most of your vaccines are earlier in childhood, so there is a stretch of time where, outside of yearly influenza and COVID vaccines, there are years where no other vaccinations are recommended,” states Mark Murray, MD, physician in charge, Nemours Children’s Health in Media, Pennsylvania.

Parents will relate that as you get older, seeing the doctor also takes away from responsibilities like school and work. 

Why Seeing a Doctor Is Still Vital For Older Kids and Young Adults

The repercussions can be serious if a young person doesn’t see a doctor regularly after high school. Care providers are not only there to treat you when you’re sick. Dr. Marcell points out that clinicians provide anticipatory guidance on screenings as well as counseling about lifestyle choices in the areas of mental and sexual health, and substance abuse. 

“Other areas include providing vaccines, conducting tests, or completing other related care that is recommended by national professional medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),” he adds. 

Dr. Murray also points out, “Skipping yearly appointments also makes it harder for the patient and parent to continue to build trust and a deeper relationship with the doctor.”

It’s important for parents to know that, according to the study, 13% of women reengage with their health at some point, often due to questions or concerns over their period or pregnancy, but boys have fewer reasons to seek out regular care.

When To Transition Away From Pediatrics Is a Personal Choice

Whether a young person continues to see their pediatrician post-teenagehood or transitions to a family doctor or general practitioner doesn’t really matter, according to experts.

“What is most important is to find a clinician with whom one feels comfortable, who provides care in a sensitive, non-judgmental, flexible, developmentally, and culturally sensitive manner, and who maintains confidentiality,” Dr. Marcell says.

Following the quality of care as recommended by the AAP or other national medical organizations is also imperative. 

Older children tend to voice that they no longer feel comfortable seeing the pediatrician (even if you still think the alligator room is super cute), between ages 16 and 21, according to Dr. Fox-Levine.

“They comment on being in the waiting room and seeing all the babies,” she says. 

While pediatricians see younger kids, Dr. Murray wants teens and young adults to hear this message.

“We are very well equipped to see you well into teenage years and sometimes even up until 21 years old. I usually tell patients I am comfortable treating you as long as you are comfortable being treated by me,” he explains. “The most important thing is that you keep up with your yearly physicals and don’t ignore small problems and let them become big problems.”

Dr. Fox-Levine echoes this sentiment as well, saying, “The important point is that they continue annual wellness care.”