How Do General Practitioners Experience Facilitating Access to Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents?
Tracks
Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
| 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM |
Overview
Jade Guitera, Monash University
Presenter
Jade Guitera
Student
Monash University
How Do General Practitioners Experience Facilitating Access to Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents?
Abstract
Background
One in eight Australian children and adolescents live with a mental illness, which is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity for this age range. Only half of these children access appropriate mental health services, despite the existence of a large variety of options. As the most consulted health professional for this issue in youth, General Practitioners (GPs) can play an essential role in helping these children access mental health care.
Aim/objective
To understand how General Practitioners (GPs) experience negotiating access to mental health care for their child and adolescent patients.
Methodology
This qualitative study used a phenomenological design. GPs based in Melbourne, Australia were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews focussed on their experiences in helping manage the care of children and adolescents with mental health problems. Interviews were audio-recorded via ZoomTM and transcribed and coded using NVivo. Analysis involved an iterative interpretative approach, including member checking of transcripts.
Findings
Twelve GPs in active clinical practice were interviewed by ZoomTM or face-to-face throughout May to July 2023. Their experiences fell into two themes: (i) GPs experiences as essential providers of mental health care and (ii) GPs guiding children through the ‘maze’ that is the mental health system. These also include subthemes which discuss key experiences of complex care such as diagnosing and rapport building in this patient population and the barriers faced when trying to fight for access in a fragmented system.
Implications
This study has highlighted the crucial but under-supported role of GPs within the paediatric mental health care system. They are providers of care and a gateway to the healthcare system, helping patients navigate the convoluted mental health space. Participant experiences supported the need for a range of policy and educational interventions such as fostering interprofessional partnerships, optimising remuneration and addressing systemic strain on psychological services.
One in eight Australian children and adolescents live with a mental illness, which is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity for this age range. Only half of these children access appropriate mental health services, despite the existence of a large variety of options. As the most consulted health professional for this issue in youth, General Practitioners (GPs) can play an essential role in helping these children access mental health care.
Aim/objective
To understand how General Practitioners (GPs) experience negotiating access to mental health care for their child and adolescent patients.
Methodology
This qualitative study used a phenomenological design. GPs based in Melbourne, Australia were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews focussed on their experiences in helping manage the care of children and adolescents with mental health problems. Interviews were audio-recorded via ZoomTM and transcribed and coded using NVivo. Analysis involved an iterative interpretative approach, including member checking of transcripts.
Findings
Twelve GPs in active clinical practice were interviewed by ZoomTM or face-to-face throughout May to July 2023. Their experiences fell into two themes: (i) GPs experiences as essential providers of mental health care and (ii) GPs guiding children through the ‘maze’ that is the mental health system. These also include subthemes which discuss key experiences of complex care such as diagnosing and rapport building in this patient population and the barriers faced when trying to fight for access in a fragmented system.
Implications
This study has highlighted the crucial but under-supported role of GPs within the paediatric mental health care system. They are providers of care and a gateway to the healthcare system, helping patients navigate the convoluted mental health space. Participant experiences supported the need for a range of policy and educational interventions such as fostering interprofessional partnerships, optimising remuneration and addressing systemic strain on psychological services.
Biography
Jade Guitera is an intern at Alfred Health in Melbourne. She has an ongoing interest in vulnerable populations, paediatrics, and public health, particularly the issue of access to care. She undertook a BMedSc Honours year at the Department of General Practice of the Monash School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in 2023. Her area of research under the supervision of Prof. Grant Russell aimed to understand the GP experience of navigating mental health care for their paediatric patients.
