When should teenagers start seeing the GP alone?
You and your child can decide together about when they might start seeing the GP and other health professionals alone. But early adolescence can often be a good time to try it for at least part of a consultation. Generally, GPs who see teenagers will try to arrange for this to happen.
In the early days, it’s best to talk with your child to see what they’re OK with. You can also check again before appointments to see how your child is feeling about seeing the GP alone.
The time your child spends alone with the GP can increase gradually. By late adolescence, your child will probably be comfortable seeing the GP alone for the whole consultation. They might also prefer to arrange their own appointments.
In Australia, the age at which a young person is able to consent to simple health care treatments without involving a parent or guardian is around 14 years. The law recognises that teenagers’ health independence, rights and responsibilities change as they move towards adulthood.
Why is it good for teenagers to see a GP alone?
Seeing a GP alone, either face to face or via telehealth, helps your child build a personal, confidential and trusting relationship with the GP. And when your child has this kind of relationship with their GP, they’re more likely to be honest about their health and other things like bullying at school, relationships or substance use. Your child is also more likely to ask questions about sensitive issues.
This allows the GP to get to know your child and better understand them as an individual. And when the GP knows and understands your child, they’re better able to make diagnoses and suggest treatment options. They can also advise your child on things like sexual health, fitness, healthy eating, stress and more.
Also, seeing a GP alone gives your child the chance to practise communicating with a GP, a skill they’ll need for the rest of their life. It helps your child take greater responsibility for their health.
And if you encourage your child to see the GP alone, it shows that you trust them and support and respect their developing independence.
You can help your child build skills and confidence to see their GP alone. A good way to start is by helping your child prepare for appointments. For example, together you could write a list of questions or things to discuss.
Choosing a GP for teenagers
It’s a good idea to talk with your child to see how they feel about going to the family GP for a whole range of things, not just coughs and colds. For many young people, continuing to see the family GP is fine. For some, visiting the same doctor they’ve seen since childhood – and the same one that you see – isn’t OK.
Your child might want to see a different GP because they:
- don’t feel comfortable with the family GP any more
- want to see a GP who doesn’t know their parents
- want to talk more openly about issues like relationships (including sexual matters), gender, mental health, vaping or other substance use
- want to manage their own health by starting a new doctor-patient relationship
- don’t trust the family GP with confidential information
- want a GP who understands their health condition
- want a GP who charges less or bulk bills
- need a GP who’s available at particular times or in a particular location.
If your child decides to change GPs, it’s helpful to remind them about important aspects of their personal or family history – for example, allergies, asthma or diabetes – for their new file. You could work together to make a list of things they might need to tell their new GP.
If your child has a complex medical condition or developmental disability and wants to change GPs, it’s important that the new GP understands your child’s needs.