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PCN Clinics Target Teens

For Jenn*, 15, smoking seemed like instant maturity. “Like many young women, she also believed smoking would help curb weight gain,” says Fern Brecht, team nurse at the Strathmore Teen Clinic.

Brecht is part of a team at three specialized teen clinics, in Okotoks, Strathmore, and High River that are making sure teens like Jenn get straight talk about the health implications of their decisions, in a supportive, non-judgmental way.

“Teens face a host of challenges that can impact their health,” says Brecht. “They have questions about relationships, sexuality, birth control, smoking, drinking and drugs …you name it.”

Brecht was able to give Jenn the facts. While risks of cancer seem too far in the future for Jenn to comprehend, the health complications that can arise from mixing smoking and oral contraceptives had Jenn’s attention. While she was not yet sexually active, she had friends who were. Jenn also learned tha smoking wouldn’t keep weight off and more importantly, that Brecht could provide the support needed to help her quit.

Another fairly common health issue is the consumption of alcohol and, as Brecht says, “making good choices and not letting alcohol make choices for you.”

Brecht says working successfully with this age group requires gaining their trust. “Once they realize that what they tell us remains confidential and that we’re not here to judge, then often we can move forward,” she says.
Anne Mackay, Public Health manager, Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (PCN) for Rural Central South says, “Among the PCN physicians, Alberta Health Services and other health providers, we’ve had this ongoing discussion about approaching the health needs of teenagers from a more holistic focus and really providing a central point for these young people to have their health needs met.”

Mackay says the biggest challenge in opening up teen clinics was getting the word out. “This is a hard group to reach since they don’t use the conventional media that most of us rely on such as television and newspapers,” she says.

But through word of mouth, presentations and flyers posted at local high schools, the number of teens accessing the clinics is steadily increasing.
* Not a real patient

A team that includes physicians, social workers, nurse practitioners and public health nurses is available at each clinic.

CLINIC HOURS

High River Teen Clinic
Wednesdays 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Okotoks Teen Clinic
Thursdays 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Strathmore Teen Clinic
Tuesdays 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.