Youth vouchers for GP services--a pilot project.

BACKGROUND

Identified barriers to young people accessing a general practitioner include cost, communication, confidentiality issues, and knowledge of Medicare.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot project aimed to test the feasibility of reducing financial barriers for young people accessing GP services, examine if a professional assessment of being 'in need' influences GP billing, and promote communication between youth workers and GPs.

METHOD

Youth workers were given vouchers to assist young people who needed to see a GP who were otherwise unable to do so for financial reasons. General practitioners accepted a voucher payment, bulk billed the young person and collected data about the consultation.

RESULTS

Vouchers facilitated bulk billed consultations with GPs who otherwise would not have seen them. A voucher appeared to leverage acceptability by GPs of follow up bulk billed consultations. Financial factors, being identified as 'in need', and communication from youth workers were all important factors for GPs.

DISCUSSION

Provision of vouchers for disadvantaged patients by health workers may improve access to GP services. Reasons are not just financial.