Youth-Friendly Doctors
Finding a doctor can be confusing. The Youth-Friendly Doctors program makes finding a doctor easier for young people.
View the list of Youth-Friendly Doctors on the WA Youth Services Directory.
Youth Friendly Doctors are doctors (usually General Practitioners) who have completed additional training and attended workshops in youth specific health issues. You can use this search to find a Youth Friendly Doctor near you. It is still best to call up and check whether they offer bulk-billing.
Going to a doctor
A General Practitioner (GP) is generally your first point of call for healthcare.
GPs have completed training in all areas of health, so they can help you with anything. If they think there is someone else who can better support you, they will give you a referral.
For example:
- If you need help with your mental health, a GP can provide you with a Mental Health Plan which means you can go to a psychologist and the government pays some of the cost.
- If you notice something on your body that you are worried might be a Sexually Transmitted Infection, your GP might refer you to a doctor that specialises in that area.
How much does it cost to see a GP?
The cost depends on your GP. Some will bulk-bill – this means that the government covers the cost and you pay nothing. It is best to call up the GP and ask them if they will bulk bill (you can only be bulk billed if you have a Medicare card – see below for more information on Medicare).
Doctor-patient confidentiality
When you visit any doctor, most of what you discuss with them is kept confidential, this means they can’t tell your parents, teachers or school about your health unless you give them permission or in some specific situations.
The situations where they don’t have to keep doctor-patient confidentiality are:
- If they believe you might harm yourself
- If they believe you might harm someone else
- If you are being harmed by someone else or there are concerns about your safety.
Doctor-patient confidentiality is legally binding – so don’t be worried about other people finding out if you want to talk to the doctor about your health concerns! If you’re concerned about it, you should ask them to explain to you exactly what is confidential and what’s not.
How to find a GP
There are a LOT of GP practices in WA. You can search on the internet to find one in your area or ask someone you know for a recommendation.
You can also use the ‘Youth Friendly Doctor’ search at the top of this page to find a GP who has done extra training in issues that young people face.
It’s important to go to a GP that you feel comfortable talking to, so it’s ok to try different GPs until you find one you like.
What is Medicare and how does it work?
Medicare is the program that gives Australian residents access to healthcare. It gives all Australians and some people from overseas a wide range of health and hospital services at no cost or low cost.
If you are 15 or older you can get your own Medicare card!
If you are under the age of 15 you can still get bulk billed; either borrow your parents’ Medicare card or simply take a photo of it and show it to reception at the GP practice saying that you are a student and wish to be bulk billed.
If you have a Medicare card, you can get free or lower cost:
- medical services by doctors, specialists and other health professionals. If your doctor bulk bills, you won’t have to pay for anything
- hospital treatment
- many prescription medicines
What is My Health Record?
My Health Record (MHR) is an online summary of your key health information. It collects information from you, your health care provider and Medicare.
When you have a My Health Record, your health information can be viewed securely online, from anywhere, at any time – even if you move or travel interstate. You can access your health information from any computer or device that’s connected to the internet.
Whether you’re visiting a GP for a check-up, or in an emergency room following an accident and are unable to talk, healthcare providers involved in your care can access important health information, such as:
- allergies
- medicines you are taking
- medical conditions you have been diagnosed with
- pathology test results like blood tests
- immunisation history
This can help you get the right treatment. You don’t need to be sick to benefit from having a My Health Record. It’s a convenient way to record and track your health information over time.
To find out more about My Health Record visit the My Health Record website.
