[love for nursing]

I am a senior nursing student. In my leadership/management class we got into a discussion of what age a teenager can be seen in a family practice doctor office without a parent present. What age does your practice allow a teenager to be seen without a parent or guardian present?

I spoke for age 16, do to most states allow a 16 year old to drive, so obviously if they have a license they could go to a doctor for a cold, or rash. I know that my local doctor's office allows teens to be seen without an adult as long as there is not any consent forms that need to be signed for vaccines, or procedures such as mole removals.

Thanks!!!
Patricia

[traumaRUs]

In IL, the age of consent is 12 for the following: pregnancy related issues, STD tx, mental health assistance, drug and alcohol abuse/tx.

Varies tremendously by state.

[elkpark]

Yes, the rules on this vary from state to state. Typically, you must have parental consent under age 18 for anything other than STD/contraception/abortion or mental health/drug tx issues, unless the situation is a true emergency (as in, life-threatening).

The other exception is in the case of emancipated minors, in states that have that status (not all do).