Background: There is a perceived concern that there is
no law which governs the right of young people (YP), defined
as ages 15-18, to be treated by doctors and to have their
privacy protected from their parents or legal guardians. On
the other hand doctors seem not to be covered by a specific
law which allows them to see and treat this age group,
although the Medical Council has expressed itself once in this
regard.
Method: This study aimed to assess the perception of
doctors to seeing young adults alone since they are
considered vulnerable because of their age and may not
express concerns and practices if in front of parents or
guardians. In this regard a questionnaire was delivered to
family doctors attached with the department of family
medicine at the University of Malta.
Results: the response rate was 72.5%. Most
respondents were males. Most (89.6%) agreed that YP
have a right toe speak to the family doctor alone. Doctors
are happy to discuss various topics with YP alone, but in
certain issues, find difficulty in providing treatment to
YP alone. There seems to be a significant difference in
attitude towards the sex of the doctor with respect to the
sex of the patient.
Conclusion: The study was meant to be a pilot study
including those doctors attached to the Department of
Family Medicine at the Medical School, with a future
study planned on a larger number. The significance and
importance of the results however merited previous
publication of this study as a sentinel. Doctors are largely
concerned about the law and are sometimes reluctant to
see young adults alone even if they feel that they should
be able to do so. The importance of having a clarification
of the law by an amendment is discussed.peer-reviewe