Toward youth friendly services: a survey of young people in primary care.
BACKGROUND
The World Health Organization encourages the development of youth friendly services, yet little is known on how youth currently present in general practice.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the perspectives, expectations, and service receipt of young people presenting to family doctors to inform the development of youth friendly services.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Consecutive young people attending 26 randomly selected practices were recruited in the waiting rooms. Standardized instruments were used to interview them before their consultation.


RESULTS
Of 501 young people who were approached, 450 participated (91% participation rate). Most had respiratory (26%) or dermatological complaints (18%). When asked to assess their health status, 59% perceived they had neither a physical nor a mental illness. However, 43% stated they had fears about their health problem and 1 in 5 feared it could be life-threatening. Although only 10% presented with psychological complaints, 24% perceived they currently had a mental illness. The most common expectations were treatment (50%) and good communication (42%). Most youth were prescribed medication (60%), but 40% of those who received a prescription had not expected to receive a treatment. A follow-up appointment was offered to 57% of participants.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies a gap between young people's perception of illness and their presentations to family doctors. It also highlights unexpected fears, and a mismatch between expectations and service receipt. These findings have implications for family medicine training and for clinical practice. They should inform the development of youth friendly services.
Haller
Dagmar M
DM
Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Institute at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. dagmar.haller-hester@hcuge.ch
Sanci
Lena A
LA
Patton
George C
GC
Sawyer
Susan M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*