| Project Objectives / Summary:
This Innovations funded project stemmed from work already being undertaken in a Men's Health project run as part of the Division's Population Health initiative. The project proposed to provide opportunities for younger males and males from a lower socio economic background to identify their current and future health needs. This was to be achieved by using a model where facilitators from the specific target group were trained in facilitation skills and employed to run focus groups for their peers. The training is accredited. This was deemed necessary as this target group (young males between the ages of 15 and 30 years) was under represented in activities undertaken in the initial Men's Health project. The project objectives were to:
- Research the health needs of young males within the localities covered by the Border GP Division.
- Build stronger partnerships and rapport with communities, GPs, Health services and young males within those communities.
- Provide training in group facilitation, leadership and community development for up to 20 young people.
- Provide resources to run up to 20 facilitated groups involving young, under-employed and unemployed people within the Border GP Division's catchment area.
- To research and report the outcomes to the community and to other rural divisions of general practice.
Project Collaboration:
All phases of the project have taken place in partnership between the Border GP Division and the Greater Murray and Upper Hume Health Services. High levels of involvement from the general community, through sporting clubs, services clubs and various community groups (including the YWCA, PCYC, Koori interagency group, department of Juvenile Justice & the Community Drug Action Team) was also achieved. The Men's Health Awareness Network was also involved.
Project Outcomes:
Two brochures were produced for distribution to young males and other stakeholders.
The Albury Wodonga Continuing Education Centre was approached to provide nationally accredited training in group facilitation and community development suitable for young people.
The project employed 17 young males and trained them to facilitate small groups. As part of their training they developed a survey that they could use when they were convening and running a workshop with other young males.
The 17 male facilitators ran a total of 19 small focus groups. A total of 153 young males were surveyed and the results and recommendations are listed later in this document.
Disseminating Project Information:
Production and distribution of three brochures: Youth Services in the Border Region; Young Males Health Project Information Package; and Visiting your Doctor - a guide for young people.
Recommendations:
- That a working group be set up within the Division to discuss the results of the report and develop a Information package suitable for distribution to GPs both within the Division and Nationally.
- That the Division's GPs be given the opportunity to align their views with the results of the survey on young male's health.
- That the Division develop a specific policy for encouraging and facilitating the use of GP services by young people (15- 25 years).
- That the Division implements the provision of Youth Access Workshops in co- operation with Secondary Colleges/Schools throughout the Division. The Youth Access Workshops are conducted like a consultation and cover all aspects of accessing and visiting a General Practice.
- That the Division develop an information package for GPs and young males based on encouraging young males to have a regular health check up when they are well and the aspects of their health that this check-up will generally cover.
- That the Division develop a strategy for young people in general based on improving access and outcomes about youth specific issues. Young people are encouraged to ask for a "youth appointment" and practice staff are aware that to ask if the patient requires a longer than normal appointment, to be bulk billed, to be scheduled for a time that fits in with school (or work) etc; and
That the Division investigate alternative information systems available for use in practice waiting rooms (eg CDROM, Internet kiosk, video) suitable for delivery of information to young people.
Policy should include:
- Reference to the specific needs of young people through a consumer group;
- Rights and responsibilities of young people accessing these services;
- Appropriate training for GPs and Practice staff in delivery of services and information specific to the needs of young people;
- Appropriate training for young people in the access and use of these services;
- Specific promotional direction outlining services and their use directed at young people, GPs, Practice staff, parents and stakeholders.
Lessons / Assessment:
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