A growing number of parents say teenagers should have private conversations with doctors during routine health checkups. Yet in real life, that moment of privacy is often missing.

A new national poll in the UNited States from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital has found that only one in three parents said their teenager had any one-on-one time with a healthcare provider during their most recent preventive care visit. The finding draws attention to a quiet but important issue in adolescent healthcare—the lack of personal space for teenagers to speak honestly about mental health, body changes, relationships, stress, or fear.

The nationally representative survey, conducted in February, included responses from nearly 1,170 parents of children aged between 13 and 17 years.

“Adolescence is a time of physical, emotional and social changes, and teens may have questions about sensitive topics like puberty, mental health, reproductive health, or peer pressure,” said Sarah Clark, M.P.H., Co-Director of the poll.

“Preventive care visits are a key opportunity to talk about these health issues in confidence. Many parents recognise the value of privacy, but they also have mixed feelings about being less involved.”

Doctors working in adolescent medicine say those few private minutes inside a clinic can sometimes reveal struggles that remain hidden at home or school. A teenager who stays silent in front of parents may quietly admit to anxiety, panic attacks, vaping, bullying, self-harm thoughts or unsafe relationships when given a confidential space.

The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Paediatrics have both previously stressed that confidential adolescent healthcare improves trust between young patients and doctors and increases the chances of early intervention for mental and behavioural health problems.

Experts say the teenage years are medically important because the brain, hormones and emotional control systems are still developing. This period also brings intense social pressure. Many teenagers today are navigating an online comparison culture, academic competition, and loneliness while trying to understand rapidly changing emotions. Yet during clinic visits, parents often dominate the conversation.

Occasionally the signs are subtle. A teenager sitting quietly while a parent answers every question. The topic of sleep, friendships, or mood often elicits a nervous glance. A doctor with only ten rushed minutes is trying to build trust in a crowded outpatient department.

The poll found that while 68 per cent of parents agreed healthcare providers should speak privately with teenagers, many still felt uncomfortable about it. Some feared doctors might discuss treatments or advice they would not approve of. Others believed it was their responsibility to closely monitor all aspects of their child’s healthcare.

Nearly all parents surveyed said they believed they should have full access to their teenager’s medical records until the age of 18. At the same time, almost two-thirds acknowledged that laws in many regions place limits on parental access to certain confidential health information involving adolescents.

This tension has become more visible with digital patient portals, where confusion often arises over what parents can or cannot view. Only one in five parents said healthcare providers had discussed confidential services for teenagers, while just 11 per cent recalled any explanation about limits on parental access to medical records.

“Evidence shows that when confidentiality is assured, teens are more likely to share important health information that can support preventive care,” Clark said. “Teens need a safe space to talk honestly about their questions, feelings and experiences.”

The report also found that teenagers themselves still play a surprisingly limited role during medical visits. In most cases, parents completed health forms on behalf of their children. Only 12 per cent said the teenager filled out the forms independently.

“It can be challenging for parents to shift from doing everything for their child to sharing responsibility with their teen,” Clark said. “But adolescence is an important time for young people to start taking ownership of their health.

“When parents step back, they’re helping teens build the skills and confidence they need to manage their health care over time.”

Healthcare professionals assert that private conversations with teenagers do not aim to alienate parents. The goal, they insist, is to prepare young people for adulthood—slowly, safely, and responsibly. Sometimes, giving a teenager just a few confidential minutes with a doctor may become the first step toward preventing a deeper crisis later.