Using HEADSSS assessment by Dr Emma Parish
In the UK we often discuss our ageing population but sometimes fail to see the significant proportion of those in adolescence, between 12 – 19% of the total UK population in 20171.
Engaging this age group can be daunting for health professionals. HEADSSS is an interview prompt or psychosocial tool to use with young people. Still growing in the consciousness of health professionals (and in the letters making up its acronym) HEADS(SS) was first presented in publication in 19882. It has a reported yield of 1 in 3 for identifying concerns that warrant further investigation.
It follows a simple structure remembered by the acronym:
Home
Education & Employment
Activities
Drugs/Drinking
Sex
Self-harm, depression & suicide
Safety (including social media/online)
The great news is that many studies have shown that self-assessment with HEADSSS tools before discussion (completed at home or in waiting rooms) yields equal, and in some cases more, information than conducting the assessment in person. Helpful for time-strapped clinicians and better utilisation of time for young people attending appointments.
Key tips for using HEADSSS
- Greet young person first, let them introduce others
- Practice discussing issues that embarrass you
- Be clear in what you mean by confidentiality relating to discussion
- See young people on their own routinely (whenever clinically appropriate)
- Use linking phrases and questions that don’t presume:
- Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Vs
- Do you have someone important in your life?
- Have you been in a relationship before? Tell me more…
For more details see the RCPCH Young People’s Health Special Interest Group (YPSIG) app – free to download here: https://app.appinstitute.com/heeadsss
Or this short HEADS-ED assessment tool: http://www.heads-ed.com/en/headsed/HEADSED_Tool_p3751.html
- Association of Young People’s Health – Key Statistics Document 2017 download here: http://www.ayph.org.uk/keydata2017/FullVersion2017.pdf
- Cohen, E, MacKenzie, R.G., Yates, G.L. (1991). HEADSS, a psychosocial risk assessment instrument: Implications for designing effective intervention programs for runaway youth. Journal of Adolescent Health 12 (7): 539-544.
Hi,
I would like to study the significance of HEADSSS Assessment in the diagnosis of Somatoform disorders in adolescents. Would you please help me if you have any resources. Thanks
How do I referrence this article please
I was signposted here by Helen Cross re ideas to develop a CHildhood Epilepsy Concerns Checklist (CHECC). I am happy to share drfts or hear how you developed and validated your tool.
Hi there – I am trying to implement the HEEADS – ED tool in my department – wondering if it is possible for you to send me the data you have mentioned here:
“The great news is that many studies have shown that self-assessment with HEADSSS tools before discussion (completed at home or in waiting rooms) yields equal, and in some cases more, information than conducting the assessment in person. Helpful for time-strapped clinicians and better utilisation of time for young people attending appointments.”
I would love to read these studies so I can share with my colleagues who will undoubtedly have reservations about doing a detailed/additional assessment during an adolescent presentation. Do you recommend doing the HEEADS-ED tool for all attendances or just the high risk/mental health ones?
warm regards`
Usama Basit
EM HST – EoE
Thank you for your comments on this post. I have asked the post’s author to put a bit more information here. It is nice to see more and more people adopting the HEADDSS tool for a quick assessment in – yes – all ED attendances of young people.
Thanks Usama. I totally see that self completing should be easier than talking and talking after self completion also easier and more fruitful for both sides. But I did not think about doing this beforehand so thank you for sharing the idea, will be of tremendous help to me.
The link in the AYPH key stats reference: “http://www.ayph.org.uk/keydata2017/FullVersion2017.pdf”
is now dead. Probably better to use:
“https://ayph.org.uk/data-and-evidence/”
Tony