Overview
General Practitioners are uniquely placed to improve the mental health of young people. Primary care clinicians bring knowledge of family, community and culture, and provide wholistic and long-term continuity of care. Effective engagement and establishing rapport is key in working with adolescents and reaps benefits for the long term health of the individual and families, as well as improving work satisfaction for the clinician. Working effectively with this age group is vital, as 75% of adult mental health conditions first present before the age of 25 years.
Body
Many primary care clinicians find working with adolescents interesting and rewarding. However, some report that working with young people is challenging, and the difficulties are often ascribed to characteristics of the young people themselves, rather than considering the whole picture, including internal practitioner barriers that may be brought to the consultation room.
This presentation will consider some of these perceived challenges through a developmental framework, look at factors specific to adolescence which commonly inhibit engagement and identify some practitioner factors that may inhibit the process. The presenters will share practical tips and strategies when working as a GP with young people in the mental health context, and some specific clinical scenarios will be discussed (including young people with ASD, gender diversity and complex trauma). The importance of spending time to establish rapport will be highlighted, as well as examining factors which may impact engagement. The value of a shared formulation approach will be explored.
Learning Objectives
1.To better understand the factors influencing young people’s experience of mental health and barriers to accessing care.
2.To develop consultation skills and strategies for working with adolescents to help improve engagement.
3. To understand and be comfortable with the concept of a shared formulation.