TALK: Toolkit for Adolescent Care

About

TALK: Toolkit for Adolescent Care supports primary care clinicians in providing their adolescent patients with high-quality preventive care that addresses psychosocial and sexual health topics. Implemented and tested in primary care clinics in greater Minnesota, and building on the HYD - PRC’s earlier CASH study (revealing that many parents and teens want to talk with their primary care clinicians about these topics but lack the opportunity), TALK features three components:

  • Training for clinicians in communication strategies for addressing sensitive topics. 
  • Resources for clinicians, in the form of one-page TALK Tools. 

  • Standardizing adolescent-friendly clinic practices, such as a pre-appointment "Welcome to adolescent care" letter to adolescents, and a similar letter to parents. 

talk big

Contact us

For TALK trainings for healthcare professionals, contact Chris Mehus at [email protected]. 

What is TALK?

 

Using TALK Tools

See TALK in action

TALK tools

1-page conversation starters on 14 topics. These practical, user-friendly TALK resources are grounded in scientific research and best practices. Our team translates the clinical evidence and best practice guidelines into core content and practical conversation guides for clinicians and parents. We work with healthcare professionals, parents, and young people to make sure that our research reflects the realities of the individuals who implement and benefit from these tools.

Click the icons below to access the complete toolkit (available in English or Spanish) or individual topic tools. We recommend laminating these pages or creating a durable binder for easy access in each of your exam rooms. 

TALK Tools Collection - English
TALK Tools Collection - Spanish
Alcohol, Vaping, and Marijuana

 

Healthy Decisions about Sex 1-pager

 

Healthy Sleep 1-pager

 

TALK Physical Activity Logo

 

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity for Parents

 

 

Birth Control

 

TALK Healthy Eating Logo

 

Helping Your Teen Navigate Healthcare

 

Prescription Hormones

 

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity for Youth
Bullying

 

Healthy Relationships

 

Mental Health

 

Screen Time and Social Media

TALK training

TALK Training: TALK provides skills, scripts, and examples that can be put to immediate use, and can adapt to your team’s needs. Settings range from one-hour “Lunch and Learns” to a multi-session format that can build participants’ Motivational Interviewing skills – and identify opportunities to apply them – using supportive one-page TALK tools.
 

 

Choose any or all of these sessions:

  • Key Features of High Quality Adolescent Healthcare
  • Balancing adolescent confidentiality and parent engagement
  • Effectively introducing Time Alone
  • Communicating about Adolescent Mental Health
  • Talking about Substance Use
  • Engaging in conversation about Healthy Relationships
  • Conversations about Sexual Decision Making and Contraception
  • Discussing Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity 
Possible training formats:
  • 1-hour  “Lunch and Learns”
  • A multi-session format with practical application opportunities using the supportive one-page TALK tools
  • A completely customized opportunity to uniquely fit your team

Contact us to discuss which training opportunity is best for your team!
[email protected]