Adolescent attitudes in a general pediatric hospital. A survey of 87 inpatient admissions.

A study of 87 adolescent patients hospitalized in a large pediatric hospital was made to define their emotional, social, recreational, and educational needs. Open-ended questionnaires were given to the adolescents, their parents, and medical care personnel. Chronic diseases, prolonged hospitalization, multiple admissions, and severity of illness were prominent in the population surveyed. These characteristics were associated with critical patient attitudes toward the physical facilities and psychological atmosphere of the hospital. Knowledge of these attitudes aids in the recreational, vocational, and educational planning for adolescents.