title: Young people have their say: What makes a youth-friendly general practice?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The health of young people can be considered an indicator of the health of Australia's future population. To improve access to healthcare, the perspectives of adolescents on the design and delivery of services need to be championed. The objective of this study was to identify what young people in north-west Tasmania value when seeking healthcare at general practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at a single high school in rural Tasmania. Students aged 16-18 years were invited to participate in an electronic survey seeking their views and preferences for presenting to their general practitioner (GP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and fifty-five students, with a mean age of 17 years, were surveyed. GPs were the usual healthcare providers for 98.4% of participants, and 86% stated that they would like to discuss mental health, substance use and sexual health with their GP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GPs can improve access to care for young people through good communications skills and treating young people as young adults.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strugnell
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Di Tommaso
authors.forename: Magella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cheek
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013648:Tasmania