The office assistant tells him she has to check with the doctor. But he's not going home. When the student arrives for his appointment, the exam turns into a frank discussion about why he continues to try to get excused from class. Because students who visit the high school clinic are minors receiving care without parental supervision, they are required to have a parental consent statement on file. Once this paperwork is complete, the student has total access.
Students make their own appointments and ask all the questions.
Dr. Guerra says the situation creates a certain degree of magic. It is a really fun place to see teenagers in their element. In other settings, they are more withdrawn, overshadowed by the presence of their parents, she said. Here, they are in charge. They are more involved in their health care.