Young people's experiences of GP care

CHN recently attended the launch of the Youth Services Hub, encompassing Headspace Canberra, the Headspace Early Psychosis Program, and the ACT Youth Trauma Service. This hub addresses a critical gap in early-intervention support for young people who are facing mental health challenges. Although the ACT is making progress in supporting young people to access health and mental health services, there are still barriers that remain.

Despite lower service usage than other age groups, GPs are often the first point of contact for young people accessing primary care. However, evidence suggests that young people may experience unique barriers engaging with these services. These areas include:

• Lower uptake of telehealth services.
• Delaying seeking care due to cost.
• Less likely to feel like their GP listened carefully, showed respect, or spent enough time with them.
• Not having a regular or preferred GP.
• Limited appointments at preferred times.
• Concerns about confidentiality.

To help improve access, reduce barriers, identify local priorities, and encourage young people to utilise primary health services, CHN would like to know more about the experiences of young people in the ACT accessing GP care and GPs experiences with caring for young people. We invite you to share your thoughts via ashort survey, which is open to all community members with knowledge of young people’s experiences of GP care. We are particularly interested in hearing from GPs, those who work with young people, young people and/or their carers!