Young peoples' perspectives about care in a youth-friendly general practice

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Youth health outcomes are poor in New Zealand and have a life-long impact on individuals, whānau (family) and society. Little is known about how young people view their experiences of general practice care despite it being the most common place to access health care. AIM: This study sought to explore young peoples' experiences of care in a selected, youth-friendly general practice. METHODS: In-depth individual interviews with six young people. RESULTS: Four themes were identified from young peoples' narratives in relation to their experiences of general practice care: going to the doctor is not easy for a young person; the attributes of staff make all the difference; specific youth-friendly consultation practices help young people; and a youth-friendly physical environment can help young people access services and feel safe. DISCUSSION: Even though the study general practice had explicitly instituted youth-friendly initiatives, including offering no-charge consultations and specialist staff members, young people still described considerable barriers to attendance. Many barriers are practice-based and could be modified by staff training, provision of further youth care staff roles and consideration of environmental changes. Other barriers such as waiving prescription costs need government funding.