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Health Care Experiences and Needs of Adolescents in Urban Greece: Implications for Planning Appropriate Health Care

Adamandia Xekalaki, Dimitris Papamichail, Polixeni Nikolaidou, Anastasios Papadimitriou and Takis Panagiotopoulos

Purpose: This study aims to explore experiences and views of 15 year old adolescents on primary health care services in large cities in Greece, and make policy and practice recommendations. Methods: A representative sample of 15 year old students, living in large cities of Greece, was selected using stratified cluster sampling. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 2019 of the 2342 students in the school classes selected (response rate 86%). Girls were 54%; 92% were born in Greece. Half of the students (50%) reported having communication problems with the physician(s) they usually visit. Reasons of communication problems included: a/organizational problems, e.g. inadequate consultation time (17%); b/privacy and confidentiality issues, e.g. not having the opportunity to be alone with the doctor (36%), lack of confidence that their discussion with the doctor will not be disclosed to their parents (46%); c/lack of understanding their perspective, e.g. the doctor “is not interested in my problems” (15%), he/ she “does not treat me with respect” (13%). The gender of the physician is important for about one third of the students of the study sample (girls 48%, boys 23%) and girls tend to prefer a female doctor (54%).
Conclusion: Adolescents in this study pointed out that they need doctors who are aware of their way of thinking and problems and can communicate effectively with them; they require more consultation time, continuity of care, confidentiality and privacy. Service provision should be accordingly modified.