Sir Al Aynsley-Green, in his recent text based on the Inaugural Ann McPherson lecture: Young People’s Health Today — the inconvenient truths for primary care,1 suggested that personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education in schools may not be giving the youngsters the answers they need. There is also evidence in the literature2 that there is a negative perception by young people regarding the role of schools and health information. Sir Al Aynsley-Green also commented that it should be of real concern to GPs that so many young people refuse to attend routine surgeries.
I am GP in the North East of England and in 2011 we started working with young people registered at practices within our health centre and Investing in Children, a local young people’s rights organisation.
From this a young persons’ group (Teen Talk) was formed. While working with them it became clear that many of the young people had a limited knowledge of what general practice offers them. Specifically, few of them understood what a GP does, what problems we see, knew when they could come to see a GP, at what age we would see them on their own, or knew their rights in relation to consent and confidentiality. These findings are sadly not new.2
However the young people did identify that PSHE could be a good opportunity to learn about health-related issues. Working together we developed a lesson plan. We delivered the lesson in a local school to year 8 pupils, using practice staff (GPs, nurses and administrative staff) alongside Teen Talk and Investing in Children.
We were able to discuss the issues that pupils raised and so addressed concerns that were important to them. We specifically addressed areas such as when young people can be seen, confidentiality, and how we can help to support them with emotional as well as physical problems. We discussed how general practice can support young carers as well as how GPs can help with the more common health issues for young people such as smoking, weight management, and keeping healthy.
We believe this basic health information is vital for young people, enabling and empowering them to access health care appropriately and responsibly.
But perhaps building relationships and improving trust between young people and health professionals in this way may also help to overcome some of the barriers young people face when accessing services?
The RCGP Adolescent Health Group (AHG) is producing a patient leaflet which summarises the key areas which might be covered in a consultation between a young person and their GP, and specifically addresses confidentiality. The leaflet should be available to all practices via the RCGP CIRC AHG webpage in January 2014.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2013
