Episode 178 | Expert Guest on Adolescent Medicine: Dr. Hina Talib - a podcast by Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist

If you're feeling overwhelmed and powerless as you watch your teenager's health concerns worsen, despite your efforts to find solutions, then you are not alone!

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover why your innate parental instincts can serve as an invaluable guide for your child's health concerns.

• Unlock the importance of open and constant communication in discerning your child's wellbeing.

• Recognize how seeking advice from health professionals can be a game-changer when in doubt.

• Appreciate the immeasurable power of your intuition in pinpointing potential mental health issues in your child.

• Realize why keeping a record of your child's behavior or appearance fluctuations can significantly aid medical professionals.

In a world where unexpected twists can alter the course of our lives, Hina Talib's journey into adolescent medicine was nothing short of serendipitous. Little did she know that a chance encounter during a medical school rotation would ignite a passion so fierce, so resolute, that it would shape her life's work. But what was it about this field that captivated her? What secrets did she uncover that could forever change the lives of parents with health concerns for their teenagers? Brace yourselves, for within this transcript lies an unexpected twist that will leave you yearning for more.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction,

00:02:10 - Empowering Parents in Adolescent Medicine,

00:06:03 - Reframing Adolescence,

00:08:49 - Labels and Advocacy,

00:11:14 - Transitioning to Self-Advocacy,

00:14:18 - Importance of Medical History for Children,

00:15:06 - Transitioning to Independent Medical Management,

00:16:34 - Navigating Complex Medical Conditions in Adolescence,

00:20:13 - Positive Reinforcement and Regular Check-ins,

00:23:14 - Risks and Challenges in Post-Pandemic Socialization,

00:28:34 - Checking in with Your Young Person,

00:29:23 - Trust Your Gut,

00:30:40 - Don't Wait to Take Action,

00:31:41 - Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength,

00:32:26 - Connect with Dr. Hina Talib,

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Follow Dr. Hina Talib on Instagram as @TeenHealthDoc for thought-provoking and educational content on adolescent medicine.

• Check out the Child Life On Call app, a resource for parents with children who have medical experiences, diagnoses, or diseases.

• Explore Hello Sleuth, a startup in New York City that puts parents and teens at the center of adolescent medicine.

• Remember that words matter when communicating with teens and their parents. Avoid labeling and use empowering language when discussing medical conditions.

• Encourage teens to advocate for themselves by asking questions, seeking information from healthcare professionals, and taking an active role in their own healthcare decisions.

• Familiarize yourself with the field of transition medicine, which helps guide adolescents in becoming their own chief medical officers and transitioning from parental healthcare management.

• Start the transition process early, with milestones such as private, confidential time with the teen, encouraging them to ask questions, and involving them in their own healthcare decisions.

• Create opportunities for one-on-one conversations with adolescents to ensure their voices are heard and their questions are addressed.

• Be mindful of the timing when assigning medical care tasks to adolescents with chronic conditions, avoiding overwhelming them during times of flare-ups