Guidelines for adolescent preventive services (GAPS)

Abstract

In an effort to promote improved adolescent health outcomes several professional health organizations have offered guidelines and recommendations for preventive primary health care services for this population. A key controversy between the different recommendations is the question of the need for annual health visits. Prior recommendations were for biannual or every 1- to 3-year health visits. Today the American Medical Association through its Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS) the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau through their Bright Futures initiative all recommend annual health visits for adolescents. Although the performance of a physical examination at each of these visits has been questioned with regard to its limited value in the healthy adolescent it is the clinical interview and opportunity for risk assessment that appears to yield significant opportunities to promote preventive health measures. (excerpt)