Adolescent Injury Prevention in Primary Care

Primary care providers, on the frontline of health care delivery, have an opportunity to see adolescents in the office or clinic and to provide counseling that can reduce injuries among adolescents. After an initial discussion on the barriers to such efforts, the authors offer a framework for the role of primary care clinicians in injury prevention, with practical guidelines for implementing counseling in practice. The authors also provide extensive information on resources available to improve skills in this area and for referring patients who need additional counseling or management, and they urge that providers participate in community activities related to injury prevention.