Adolescent Screening (J1 and J2)

The youth screening examinations or youth health examinations (J1 and J2) are a diagnostic procedure to assess, on the one hand, the health status and, on the other hand, the social conditions in which the adolescent is growing up. The discussion with the adolescent in particular should make it possible to draw attention not only to any harmful consumption of intoxicating substances (drugs; narcotics) or smoking that may be present, but also to focus the examination on psychological problems. The goal of these screenings, analogous to the pediatric screenings, is the early detection of a possible disorder so that the risk of aggravation of the present disorder and the likelihood of further consequential damage can be reduced. In contrast to the J2 examination, the J1 examination is fully covered by the statutory health insurance. The J1 and J2 preventive examinations for adolescents are usually performed by the treating pediatrician and adolescent doctor. Unfortunately, the utilization of the J1 and J2 examinations decreases significantly compared to the pediatric checkups, so that the number of examined adolescents is relatively low.

Investigation Time Services
J1 12-14 years(from the age of 12 until the age of 15)
  • Determination of height, weight and blood pressure. Based on these parameters, various health risks such as hypertension (high blood pressure) can already be detected and possibly secondary diseases can be excluded. Furthermore, by measuring the weight, it is possible to point out a possible malnutrition with an existing overweight or underweight. Especially the factor of weight is to be considered central in the examination, because in addition to purely health aspects, a psychological component in weight problems must be considered.
  • In addition, a urine examination is performed to be able to exclude possible renal dysfunction.
  • In-depth physical examination and inspection (viewing) taking into account pubertal stages of development, as well as the condition of the organs, skeletal system (malpositions?) and sensory functions.
  • In the presence of hereditary genetic diseases in the family, such as hemophilia (congenital blood clotting disorder), the examination may include a risk factor check. However, if there is evidence of a genetic disorder, the physician should arrange for human genetic counseling.
  • Immunization counseling: booster vaccinations should also be given at the J1 examination. If vaccinations are missing for a complete vaccination protection, a consultation should clarify the benefits of each vaccination. A complete vaccination protection is to be aimed at every adolescent.
  • In addition to the physical examination, topics such as sexuality and contraceptive methods should be addressed by the doctor. Furthermore, problems in the circle of friends should also be addressed.
  • Also skin problems such as acne are to be addressed by the doctor. If necessary, a referral to the dermatologist (dermatologist) should be made.
  • Eating disorders such as anorexia or obesity will be addressed.
J2 16-17 years
  • The J2 examination represents the last preventive examination in childhood and adolescence, but it does not have to be covered by health insurance. Nevertheless, the examination, which is performed at the age of 16 to 17, is recommended by pediatricians and adolescents. Similar to the J1 examination, the examination focuses on both health and developmental psychological problems.
  • On the one hand, the detection and a subsequent initiation of treatment of puberty and sexuality disorders are focused, on the other hand, there is an examination for possible postural disorders. Through the early detection of such damage, these can be corrected relatively well by orthopedic treatments. Another focus of the examination is a possible diagnosis of goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland due to various causes). Diabetes screening and the determination of socialization and behavioral disorders also take place during the J2 examination.