PATCH for Teens Lessons

State/Jurisdiction: Wisconsin
Setting: Community
Population: Adolescents & Young Adults
Topic Area: Access to Quality Healthcare Family & Youth Engagement Health Promotion & Communication
NPMs:

The PATCH for Teens Lessons aim to empower young people to manage their own health care and equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate and advocate for youth-friendly services. This series of five lessons provides schools, community-based organizations, health care systems, and other partners with the content and resources to deliver an introduction to health care for youth in grades 6-12. Each lesson targets one main learning goal through a 20–30-minute activity. Detailed instructions, sample language, supporting materials, and optional skill-building activities are included for easy implementation.'

By addressing topics such as types of health care, patient/provider relationships, teen rights, personal responsibility, and quality care experiences, the lessons prepare youth for transition to adult healthcare. PATCH collaborates with various organizations to ensure these resources are youth-driven, community-relevant, and accessible to all populations. Through this initiative, PATCH enhances the relevance and innovation of adolescent health education, ultimately aiming to integrate these lessons into existing high school health curricula to improve health care transition efforts nationwide. The PATCH for Teens Lessons serve as a starting point for critical conversations about health care among adolescents. Early evaluations have shown positive outcomes, with students reporting increased knowledge, confidence, and engagement in managing their health care. The lessons help students understand their rights, build self-advocacy skills, and prepare for transitions in health care settings. Facilitators have found the lessons effective in sparking meaningful discussions and addressing gaps in health education. By fostering an environment where youth can openly discuss and practice managing their health care, these lessons contribute to better preparedness for health care transitions and promote long-term, informed decision-making.




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Implementation Handout



CONTACT INFORMATION
PATCH (Providers and Teens Communicating for Health)
Erica Koepsel
staff@patchprogram.org
chelsea@patchprogram.org

Practice Website