In a typical pediatrician visit, routine questions about sleep, appetite and school follow discussions of vitals and growth charts.
But as children grow into preteens and teens, doctors sometimes ask parents to step out of the room for a brief moment, giving kids a private space to speak openly with their medical provider.
This scenario has sparked a heated conversation after a TikTok on the topic sparked debate among parents, teens and medical professionals. In the comments, one person summed up a recurring skepticism: “Not a chance and not on your life. There is no way a parent can know if they trust that doctor or not based on the three-minute visit they gave six months before.”
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Experts say doctors aren’t shutting parents out — they’re creating a space where teens can be seen and heard on their own terms.
Getty Images/Huffpost Doctors sometimes may ask parents to "step out" of the room for a brief conversation with their teens.
“Having a private moment with a pediatrician provides a second opportunity for kids to discuss sensitive topics with a well-informed adult who is trained to stratify risk and respond appropriately to whatever adolescents share,” Dr.
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