Local doctor or General Practitioner (GP)

Why visit a GP?

A GP is a doctor who has been trained to deal with any sort of mental or physical health issue that any person of any age might have (that's why they're called 'general').

GPs can be a good place to start if you are concerned about something. They can help or give you advice about issues including feeling down or upset, drugs and alcohol, not sleeping well, relationships, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), contraception, or if you being hurt or sexually assaulted.

GPs can help you to find different ways to cope and if necessary they can work with, or refer you to, other health professionals who have had further training in specific areas (eg a gynaecologist, a physiotherapist, or a counsellor) to give you support and help.

Making an appointment

When you see a GP you usually have to make an appointment. Sometimes you may not be able to get an appointment straight away and may have to wait for a few days.

To find a GP near you check out the beyondblue Directory of Medical and Allied Health Practitioners.

Medical centres don't usually take appointments - that's where you will find a lot of doctors working in the same centre and you will just give them your Medicare card/number and wait until a doctor is free. Usually you will wait anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour to see a doctor - depending on how busy they are.

If you need to talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (cost of a local call from a landline) or Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (free from a landline).

Tips

Talking to the receptionist can be hard. When you are making the appointment you don't have to let the receptionist know your reason for seeing the GP. The only information you need to give them is your name and Medicare card/number. You can also ask to see a doctor you're familiar with or ask to see a male/female doctor.

If you need to see someone quickly, tell them it's urgent, as they may be able to fit you in.

Appointments are usually between 10-15 minutes long. If you think you'll need longer ask the receptionist for a longer appointment.

Appointments sometimes run overtime and your appointment might be delayed, so take a something to read or listen to. Ask the receptionist how long you'll have to wait when you get there.

Call and cancel it you can't make your appointment so another patient can use the appointment time.

Confidentiality

GPs are required by law to keep information about their patients confidential (this means they don't tell anyone else). However, if they have serious concerns about your safety or the safety of someone else, they are also required by law to take steps to keep you or others safe.

Ask the GP to explain how confidentiality works if you're unsure. Check out the Confidentiality fact sheet for more info.

Payment

There might be times when you prefer to see your GP without involving your parents. This can be hard if you are worried about how you will pay for the visit or how you will get your parents Medicare card. You may be eligible for your own card - check out the Medicare fact sheet for more info.

There are two ways you can pay when you see a GP:

Bulk billing

Bulk billing means that you sign a Medicare form and the GP sends this straight to Medicare to get their payment for seeing you, instead of making you pay first. You don't have to have any money with you. If you see a GP who bulk bills then you only need to give them your Medicare number - which you can find out by looking at the family's Medicare card, or by ringing Medicare on 132 011.

If you are at least 15 years old, you are entitled to get your own Medicare card (though it means your name will need to be removed from your family's Medicare card). For information about how to apply for one, ring Medicare on 132 011, visit a Medicare office or check out the Medicare fact sheet.

Paying on the spot

Some GPs don't bulk bill, which means that you have to pay for the visit on the spot. You can then claim some or all of the cost back on Medicare later by going into a Medicare office. Check out the Medicare Australia website for locations.

Every GP practice is different. You can ask whether your GP bulk bills when you make an appointment. The receptionist can help with this.

Some concerns you might have about GPs

The GP won't take you seriously

It can be hard when you feel that someone is not listening to what you have to say. When you feel a GP is not listening it might be that he/she does not have good communication skills. Like anyone, some GPs, are better at talking and listening than others.

If you don't think your GP gets you, you may want to let them know. It can take a bit of time and practice to get to know someone new, so if the basic vibe is that your GP is OK, you may want to give them a bit of a chance to get to know you better. If things still are not working out, it might be better to see someone else.

The GP will be judgmental

It is important that you trust your GP, part of this may be feeling you are respected and not being judged; many people feel this way if they're seeing their family doctor that they've seen all their lives. Sometimes GPs have personal or religious beliefs that make it difficult for them to agree to certain things (eg abortion, contraceptives).

If you think your GP is being judgmental then it may be a good idea to let them know. If you aren't comfortable with them, try another GP.

You'll be too embarrassed to be honest about your lifestyle

Talking about your feelings and body can seem weird and confronting at first, but it does get easier with practice (really!). It's important to be honest about your lifestyle and background in order to be properly treated and get the best advice. It might be useful to keep in mind that GPs have heard it before - it's their job to talk about this stuff.

The GP will want my family to be involved

Remember the stuff on confidentiality. Your GP can only tell your parents and family what you give them permission to tell (unless of course it's a serious safety issue or you're under 18).

Having your family's support might be helpful and so your GP might want to talk with you about how your family could support you, and they might suggest that it's important that your family is involved in some way. Talking this through with your GP might help you to work out what you want to do.

Getting the most from your GP

• You might feel more comfortable to see a GP who is the same gender.
• You might prefer to see a different GP than your family doctor.
• Ask about confidentiality at the start of the appointment if you have any concerns.
• Ask questions if you don't understand something - they sometimes forget to speak in plain English.
• If you feel that the GP is not really the right one for you, try another.
• Be honest about your health, previous treatment and medication (including if you've taken recreational drugs before) and your lifestyle, even if it seems embarrassing (GPs have heard it all before!) This will mean you get the best possible treatment.

Your rights

It might be useful to remember that you have the right to:

• Courtesy, respect and to be dealt with in a non-judgmental manner.
• Confidentiality and respect for your privacy.
• Receive accurate information, communicated in a simple, straight-forward manner.
• Choose your own doctor.
• To ask questions and have them answered.
• Another GP's opinion.
• Feel safe and comfortable.
• Care provided as soon as possible.
• A choice about accepting treatment.
• Ask for an explanation if you don't understand.

Check out the Knowing your Rights as a Health Consumer fact sheet for more info on your rights.

Acknowledgements

Our thanks to the NSW Centre for Advancement of Adolescent Health and the Westgate Division of General Practice for helping to develop this fact sheet.