The Jewish General Hospital: A picture of health

Herzl initiative answers teens’ questions
Teenagers can be a boisterous
bunch, but when issues affect their
health, they may sometimes be reluctant
to speak up. That’s why the Teenage
Health Unit at the Herzl Family
Practice Centre was created nearly
25 years ago by Dr. Michael Malus,
Chief of Family Medicine. Today the
unit continues its original mission,
and even if some of the issues have
changed, the need is just as great.
“Teens may be too shy or fearful of
talking about their problems, while
doctors’ concerns don’t always coincide
with the youths’ concerns,” says
Dr. Malus, who co-directs the clinic
with psychologist Dr. Perry Adler.
To promote the Teenage Health
Unit, Dr. Malus has also developed an
outreach program in cooperation with
the English Montreal School Board.
Every Tuesday, a Herzl team–consisting
of a staff physician, resident, medical
student, and nurse clinician–visits
a different Montreal-area high school
and “gives students an opportunity
to ask written, anonymous questions
about teenage health and life prob-
lems,” says Dr. Malus.
Team members answer
teens’ questions, which
include concerns about
sexuality and reproductive
health, drug and
alcohol use and abuse,
depression and anxiety,
body image, attention
difficulties and more.
Herzl residents are
trained in ways to approach
teens, whose
needs are different
from those of children
and adults. In the process,
the residents get a
sense of whom the teen
interacts with at home,
at school and among friends and family,
what their interests are, and what
activities they participate in.
“Our outreach approach clearly
works,” says Natasha Bossé, a Herzl
nurse clinician who specializes in
adolescent medicine. “It’s a brave step
for them to seek help, so we work
hard to create a safe place for them.”
The Herzl team (from left): Howard Magonet, social worker; Michael Gasse, student; Dr.
Andre Jakubow, medical resident; Catherine Gasse, student; Dr. Tiffany Gasse, medical
resident; and Natasha Bossé.
Ms. Bossé also works with Herzl’s
interdisciplinary teams, acting as a
nurse navigator to keep team members
informed about their teenage patients.
“Our goal is to have no teen fall
through the cracks,” she says.
Ms. Bossé points out that today’s
teens face many different sorts of difficulties
than when the clinic opened
Outreach effort
scores a basket
“Technology and the breakdown of
the family have left a lot of teens feeling
isolated. What hasn’t changed is
that they lack much of the knowledge
they need in order to cope. The team
is there to help them find answers to
their questions and accompany them
through their experiences concerning
their health.” u
Herzl Adolescent Clinic workers joined with volunteers at Saint
Columba House, a community centre in Point St-Charles, in organizing
a basketball game and sexual health quiz for teens on April
18. The “docs” were pleasantly surprised at how many youths took part.
What came as no surprise was how easily they outplayed the healthcare
professionals and other volunteers, who were simply referred to as “the
adults”.
When everyone returned to Saint Columba House for the quiz, pizza
and refreshments were served, adding to the already relaxed and comfortable
atmosphere. Laughs were shared during the learning session,
but more importantly, many crucial subjects on sexual health were discussed.
The youths were extremely receptive—something that should
encourage healthcare professionals to become more involved in activities
aimed at guiding young people. Adolescents are eager to use the time
and information we give them. Our thanks to Saint Columba House for
the opportunity to interact with their amazing adolescents. u
– Dr. Tiffany Gasse, Medical Resident, Herzl Family Practice Centre
PULSE • SUMMER 2009 5