Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
anticipatory guidance
Proactive counseling about expected developmental changes and health promotion strategies for adolescents.
Full Definition
Anticipatory guidance in adolescent medicine involves providing age-appropriate information to adolescents and their families about normal development, risk reduction, and health promotion. This counseling addresses topics such as physical changes during puberty, emotional development, academic performance, peer relationships, and safety issues. Effective anticipatory guidance is tailored to the individual patient's developmental stage and risk profile.
Usage
Usage note: Use as a compound noun; avoid 'anticipatory council' or similar misspellings.
In Context
- "The provider offered anticipatory guidance about safe driving practices during the 16-year-old's annual visit." — Well-visit documentation
- "Anticipatory guidance regarding body image and peer pressure was provided to the early adolescent patient." — Clinical notes
Also known as
health guidance
preventive counseling
Contrasted with
reactive counseling
crisis intervention
Don't confuse with
health education
patient education
counseling