Shofar - Improving Medical Services to Adolescents

Shirley Saar | Daniella Levi Erez

There is a significant communication gap between healthcare professionals and adolescents, particularly teenage girls. Reports from adolescents and our own observations indicate that this gap is exacerbated by social stigmas surrounding teenage girls, leading to mistrust and lower-quality care. These challenges are particularly evident in cases of chronic pain management and prolonged medical evaluations with no clear organic cause. Additionally, many pediatricians lack sufficient knowledge in managing conditions affecting teenage girls, such as endometriosis and eating disorders, which can result in frustration, distancing, and even antagonism on the part of the doctor.

The recent war and the displacement of communities have further intensified these challenges. The prolonged absence of structured education (for the second time in recent years, following the COVID-19 pandemic) and separation from peer groups—critical at this age—have increased the risk of dangerous behaviors, violence, loss of follow-up by educators and healthcare providers, and overall distress among adolescents.

Project Goals:

1. Raise awareness of the severity and consequences of this issue.

2. Improve communication skills among healthcare teams to foster better understanding and interaction with adolescents.

3. Enhance medical knowledge regarding adolescent health conditions, empowering healthcare professionals and strengthening their ability to manage such cases effectively.

   
   

Vision:

The project aims to develop a comprehensive, research-backed workshop program tailored for key opinion leaders across various hospital sectors at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center. This structured training can then be expanded nationwide, increasing its impact and ensuring better healthcare for adolescent girls throughout Israel.