An adolescent and young adult (AYA) specialist cares for young people aged between 10 and 24 years. AYA physicians have expertise in the assessment, formulation, and holistic management of complex multifactorial conditions, considering biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that may contribute to medical symptoms. They are advocates for the health of young people in a broad range of social and healthcare settings.

AYA physicians provide holistic, strengths-based, inclusive care in a range of settings, largely working as a part of multidisciplinary teams to provide assessment and management of complex medical and psychosocial issues across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings.

AYA is a dynamic field, working in a variety of settings, including in:

acute medical care of adolescents and young adults. AYA physicians work in inpatient settings, managing young people with acute medical problems, medical instability arising from eating disorders, complications of mental health problems (such as intentional overdose), medically unexplained symptoms, and somatoform presentations.

inpatient consultation and liaison services. AYA physicians provide consultation to other medical and mental health teams for adolescent-specific issues, such as health-risk behaviours, eating disorder diagnosis, gender health and management, medically unexplained symptoms, and medical issues arising in acute inpatient mental health settings.

outpatient clinics. AYA physicians work in hospital-based and community clinics managing young people with disability and chronic medical conditions, as well as specialist clinics for eating disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, medically unexplained symptoms, drug and alcohol services, and gender services.

community-based care in non-healthcare settings. AYA physicians may be involved in the care of young people, or provide consultation to primary care providers, in settings such as schools and educational institutions, juvenile justice facilities, temporary housing services, and drug and alcohol services, and support self-management of chronic conditions.

undertaking comprehensive assessments. AYA physicians may manage complex psychosocial needs in the provision of holistic care of young people, including evaluation for health-risk behaviours, sexual health screening, gender health, substance use patterns, and mental health concerns.

providing longitudinal care. AYA physicians provide care for young people with physical and developmental disabilities and chronic health conditions, and help to facilitate transition of care from paediatric to adult healthcare services.

AYA physicians advocate for young people and provide specialist medical care using an inclusive, strengths-based approach, establishing rapport and engagement with young people, and working within multidisciplinary teams through:

  • Effective communication

    AYA physicians will communicate with AYA patients, families, carers, whānau, and support people to build trust and rapport and encourage engagement with health services. AYA physicians will adapt their communication style to meet a young person’s developmental needs and will communicate with empathy and compassion.

  • Holistic care of patients and their families

    AYA physicians are comfortable with complex health issues, working with uncertainty, and managing risk. They recognise the importance of emerging autonomy and the decision-making capacity of the young person, including the importance of assuring confidentiality within the patient-professional relationship.

  • Working as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team

    AYA physicians may be called upon to be team leaders, and will have a collaborative approach focused on building relationships.

  • Understanding health systems and inequities

    AYA physicians will practice inclusive care, recognising the additional health inequities that may be faced by at-risk and marginalised adolescents and young adults.

  • Applying a scholarly approach

    AYA physicians will apply evidence to daily practise, but also recognise that evidence is not always available and that there is a need to participate in research to contribute to the body of knowledge within the specialty to improve practice and health outcomes.

  • Advocating for health equity

    AYA physicians advocate for equitable and accessible healthcare for all young people, raise awareness of the health needs of young people, and develop health policies and procedures for adolescents, young adults, families, carers, whānau, and support people.

Last modified: Thursday, 27 November 2025, 12:18 PM