Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine

Overview

The Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Mass General for Children provides outstanding primary care and consultative care to adolescents and young adults.

Adolescents and young adults, from 12 years of age though their 20s, may come to the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Mass General for Children for primary care or specialty care.

Many adolescents and young adults who are in transition between pediatric medicine and internal medicine, or are in college or newly employed, prefer the adolescent and young adult medicine setting for their medical care. Each patient is highly valued, and we respect the confidentiality of our meetings and ensure privacy of all encounters.

Primary Care

Our physicians provide primary care including routine annual check-ups and pre-sports physical examinations. We strive to provide comprehensive care and serve as primary care doctors to many youth struggling with mental health problems and substance use disorders. Physicians are available at Mass General in the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care and in the community at Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center (Waltham) and at the MGfC Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Practice in Cambridge. Patients may also obtain routine immunizations as well as those needed for international travel.

We also provide collaborative care for patients struggling with the common mental health concerns of adolescence, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, and substance use disorders.

Specialty Care

We provide consultative care to patients for problems including:

• Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
• Menstrual disorders
• Contraceptive counseling
• Acne treatment with oral isotretinoin ("Accutane")
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Pelvic pain
• Developmental issues occurring during adolescence
• Weight management

Subspecialty care is provided at our main office in the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care in Boston, as well as Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center (Waltham), Mass General for Children at Blue Hills Medical Center in Braintree, Newton Wellesley Hospital, and the MGH Adolescent and Young Adult practice in Cambridge.

Specialists in Eating Disorders

The Division works closely with other eating disorder specialists to provide comprehensive care for patients with anorexia or bulimia. We offer onsite nutritional consultation at MGH and referrals to the MGH Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Child Psychiatry Service, or Adult Psychiatry Service to provide the necessary counseling for patients with anorexia or bulimia. Inpatient care for patients with eating disorders is provided at both Mass General for Children at Massachusetts General Hospital and Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Weight Management Program

The Mass General Children Weight Management Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital is a consultation service for adolescent and young adult patients (ages 12-25) with obesity. It provides evaluation and ongoing management of patients’ weight and weight-related co-morbidities. Treatment options offered in the program include behavioral modification, weight loss medications and referral for weight loss surgery when appropriate. New patient consultations occur on Wednesday mornings including a fasting laboratory evaluation. Appointments can be made at either 617-643-1201 or 617-243-6585. Insurance is fully accepted for this program.

Patient Resources

View the full collection of patient resources from Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at MGfC.