ABSTRACT

Introduction This chapter aims to explore and extend your knowledge about the young people who need your care. It examines the developmental period of adolescence and the impact that illness has on this time of transition, and it highlights the lack of health care provision that currently exists for this group of young people who have specific needs. It also discusses the role that health care professionals can play to help young people deal with the issues that arise from the conflict of being an adolescent and coping with illness.The chapter also discusses the current shortfall in education for nurses who care for this client group and provides some recommendations.