Most pediatricians follow their patients from infancy to adolescence.
The University of California at San Francisco reviewed the way pediatricians determined the need for preventive care for their adolescent patients. 85 percent of pediatricians checked to see that school performance was being maintained. 70 percent of pediatricians asked about weight problems, sexual intercourse, cigarette use, alcohol use, drug use and seat belt and helmet use. About 40 percent screened their patients for access to handguns, suicide, eating disorders, depression and driving after drinking alcohol. Less than 20 percent asked about use of smokeless tobacco, sexual orientation, sexual and physical abuse, and riding a bike or swimming after drinking alcohol.