About GPs
General practitioners (GPs) are doctors who know how to treat many different health problems across all age groups.
In Australia, GPs must complete specialist medical training after their university medical degrees and internships. This training usually takes another 3 years.
You might see a GP at a clinic in your neighbourhood or an after-hours clinic. If you live in a rural or remote area, you might see a GP as part of a visiting GP service.
Health advice and support from your GP is essential to helping your child grow and develop well in childhood and adolescence. The GP is also there to care for your health and wellbeing. When you’re physically, emotionally and mentally well, it helps your child thrive.
Why your child might see a GP
Think of a GP as the first person to go to when anyone in your family has a health problem. GPs can help work out what’s going on.
GPs can check on your child’s health, growth and development. They can also give immunisations and medicine for illnesses, treat minor injuries, and refer your child to other specialist doctors.
It’s good to find a family GP you trust and feel comfortable with, so that you can get to know each other and talk openly. A GP who knows you and your child can often more easily work out what health problems you have.
GPs might also be able to help you avoid health problems in the first place. They can do this by asking questions and recommending tests.
If you have a teenage child, it can be good for them to get used to seeing the GP alone, for at least part of a consultation. Generally, GPs who see teenagers will try to arrange for this to happen. By the later teenage years, your child will probably be comfortable seeing the GP alone for the whole consultation. Seeing the GP alone helps your teenage child build confidentiality and trust with their GP and become responsible for their own health care.
Before going to a GP
Before seeing the GP, it’s a good idea to find out about things like the following:
- Appointments – what’s the best way to make an appointment – phone, online or app? Does the appointment need to be in person, or can it be via telehealth?
- Waiting lists – how long before you can get an appointment to see the GP?
- Is there anything you can do while you’re waiting for the appointment? For example, you could keep a record of your child’s symptoms.
- Costs – how much will the appointment with the GP cost? Check whether you can get money back from Medicare or private health insurance.
- Locations – find out where you have to go to see the GP – for example, a local medical centre, an after-hours surgery or a hospital.
- Preparation – what do you need to bring to the appointment? For example, should you bring your child’s test results or their child health and development book?
It’s a good idea to ask these questions when you first contact the GP practice to make an appointment. Writing down your questions can help you remember them.