This Is Why Doctors Make This 1 Controversial Request During Appointments For Teens

When doctors make this request, it makes many parents nervous. But they say it's an important opportunity for teens to gain independence and get support.

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.”

Experts say doctors aren’t shutting parents out — they’re creating a space where teens can be seen and heard on their own terms.

“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. Bronwen Carroll, a pediatric emergency physician, and professor at Boston Medical Center and Boston University, said. “If kids aren’t comfortable speaking to their parents, then speaking to their pediatrician is clearly a better option than not receiving any support or guidance from anyone at all.”