A recent survey asked parents about visiting GPs with their adolescent children. The survey asked questions ranging from “which topics should be discussed during health visits with your children” to “how important do you think it is for your child to have a confidential discussion with a GP”.

The survey revealed an interesting fact: while two-thirds of parents believed it was “very/somewhat” important for adolescents to have private discussions with the doctor during these visits, almost half of the parents surveyed believed the doctor should tell them the confidential information they obtained from the children during these private discussions.

In a recent edition of Journal Watch Women’s Health, Dr Ann Davis, in response to the survey, discussed why confidentiality is so important. “Teens are less likely to disclose sexual activity or other risky behaviours in settings that are not confidential,” she said. And only when the doctors know of these behaviours can they provide appropriate education to the children.

It is highly recommended that you discuss doctor confidentiality with your teenagers, and take them to your GP to have a confidential discussion. If you have questions regarding the confidentiality GPs keep and why this is important, discuss them with your GP.

Writer Tristan Boyd, Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.