Adolescent health--as easy as EPC.
BACKGROUND
There are a number of very serious health trends for adolescent Australians. A major barrier to young people's access to high quality health care is poor general practitioner remuneration for longer consultations for complex adolescent issues.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses the use of the Enhanced Primary Care Medicare items for adolescents presenting to community general practice, youth specific health centres and community health centres.


CONCLUSIONS
Medicare items for care planning, case conferencing, mental health, asthma, diabetes, and cervical screening may be used to improve outcomes for young people and increase GP remuneration in this poorly funded area.
Rowe
Leanne
L
Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Victoria. lrowe@pipeline.com.au
Hodges
Craig
C
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007357:Insurance, Physician Services; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009313:National Health Programs; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control