General practitioner confidence with adolescent health: Baseline findings from a randomised controlled trial in...

General practitioners' (GPs') confidence in caring for adolescents was explored using data from a randomised controlled trial of an adolescent health assessment.​ METHOD: GPs completed an online survey. Using descriptive analyses, we assessed confidence with: (1) consulting with adolescents; (2) managing confidentiality; and (3) discussing different aspects of health. Requests for further resources were recorded.

Most GPs were female (60.6%) and aged 31-59 years (80.3%). GPs were more confident consulting with patients aged 18-24 years (high confidence: 69.7%) versus those aged 14-17 years (50.0%; P = 0.011). Regarding patients aged 14-15 years, only 41.7% and 22.7% of GPs were highly confident negotiating time alone and making management decisions without parents, respectively. GPs were least confident discussing gender and sexuality. Many requested further information about gender diverse identities, medicolegal issues and disruptive behaviour.

This sample of GPs identified gaps in confidence and the need for additional support, particularly regarding gender and sexual diversity, medicolegal issues and privacy/confidentiality for younger adolescents.