A growing number of adolescents do not have a supportive and trusting
relationship with an adult in a birth, foster, adoptive, or chosen family. Yet
like all adolescents they need routine and sometimes specialized health care.
This book is a collection of essays, case studies, and guidelines that describe
the demographic, philosophical, medical, legal, and developmental framework in
which these youth and health care staff confront medical decision making. The
authors address questions of consent, confidentiality, access to care, and the
right to refuse or demand care, emphasizing the real-world experience of
adolescents as they struggle to overcome the challenges of being alone.