Adolescent male health.

Although adolescent males have as many health issues and concerns as adolescent females, they are much less likely to be seen in a clinical setting. This is related to both individual factors and the health care system itself, which is not always encouraging and set up to provide comprehensive male health care. Working with adolescent boys involves gaining the knowledge and skills to address concerns such as puberty and sexuality, substance use, violence, risk-taking behaviours and mental health issues.

Informed consent in children and adolescents.

Confusion persists about when a minor can give informed consent to medical treatment. Physicians may be hesitant to treat minors, even as adolescents, without first obtaining parental or guardian consent for fear of being sued for battery or negligence. However, the common law in Canada is clear that a minor can give informed consent to therapeutic medical treatment, provided heorshe can understand the information regarding the proposed treatment and can appreciate the attendant risks and possible consequences.