Louis

Louis rarely sees the GP as he is usually healthy. He would like surgeries to open at the weekends so that he can get an appointment without missing school.

Louis rarely sees the GP as he is usually healthy. The earliest experience he remembered was going with his mum at the age of six or seven to check on something minor. Now he goes about twice a year. He last went because of a cold he’d had for several weeks. The doctor, who Louis found reassuring, prescribed him pills for congestion but Louis felt that the appointment was a bit rushed. He wishes the doctor had taken the time to explain what the tablets were for, what they were going to do, and for how long he’d have to take them.

Louis mum usually phones the local practice when he needs an appointment and they usually get one that week. Before going, he often looks up his symptoms on the NHS Choices website just to find out you’ve got a chest infection and not pneumonia’, but finds that his searches usually yield the most severe condition.

Whenever possible, Louis tries to get an appointment before school. As most surgeries open during school hours, he would like surgeries to open over the weekends. Louis didn’t know he could book appointments online but thinks this can offer more flexibility for young people. He has mixed feelings about telephone consultations, though, and feels that face-face meetings are more suitable for health assessments and more reassuring for patients.

Louis doesn’t mind being seen by a different doctor every time. He feels that if he wants to be seen in a reasonable time, he can’t be picky. Ideally he would like to see the same GP each time and develop a relationship over time.

For Louis, a good GP is someone who is reassuring, confident and takes the time to explain things. He remembers visiting a junior doctor once who had to leave the room halfway through the consultation to ask a senior doctor’s opinion. Louis found the doctor’s confusion stressful. He also prefers it when GPs make an effort to connect with young people, and speak to them directly rather than to parents.

Louis feels that there are several changes doctors surgeries could make to be more welcoming to young people, including having more comfortable chairs which would make the waiting rooms look friendlier. He likes the touchscreen check-in because he feels that it’s more private and non-judgmental. He felt that receptionists can be a bit cold and condescending sometimes, and that they shouldn’t ask patients why they would like to see a doctor.

Louis would like to see more information at the surgery on youth-related health topics such as smoking, drinking and skin health, and school-related topics such as stress and depression. He feels that a lot of people struggle with exam stress but never see a GP because they don’t know that they can seek help for it.

Louis believes that healthcare services could reach more young people on social media sites, such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where they could provide information on doctor-patient confidentiality, practical guidelines on how to book appointments, and the range of issues people can discuss with a doctor.

It’s good when GPs direct their questions to the young person and not their parent. Young people can explain what’s wrong with them.

Gender Male

Louis definitely trusts that his GP appointments are confidential unless it was something serious.

Gender Male

Young people might shy away’ from clinics at the GP surgery. It could be embarrassing seeing someone there if you don’t know them very well.

Gender Male

Louis would prefer to book online appointments as it would be easier than phoning again and again in the morning. He could book online in his own time.

Gender Male

Louis would rather get an appointment with any GP than wait a week to see his own doctor. Booking an appointment involves making lots of phone calls in the morning.

Gender Male

The receptionists are usually alright’ but sometimes might seem a bit condescending. Young people might dislike being asked why they want to see the GP or may know the receptionist.

Gender Male

It can be hard to ask a parent to leave the consultation room so it would be better coming from the GP. Louis trusts his doctor and finds her easy to speak to.

Gender Male

Most of the GPs at Louis’ local surgery are very good. He’s seen the same ones for many years.

Gender Male

The chemist is walking distance from the GP surgery. Louis’ parents buy painkillers and other over-counter treatments at the supermarket.

Gender Male

Mental health, exams, smoking, alcohol, drugs, and relationships worry young people. GPs should have leaflets about the range of emotional problems they can help with.

Gender Male