Use of general practitioner services among youth and young adults in Norway from 2006 to 2021

ObjectiveTo describe the frequency and content of contacts with general practitioners (GPs) among youth and young adults by sex, age and time, emphasizing mental health, sexual health and respiratory tract infections.DesignRegistry-based population-wide cohort study.SettingGeneral practice in Norway 2006-2021.SubjectsNorwegian residents aged 13-25 within the study period.Main outcome measuresContacts with GPs and out-of-hours services, including type of contact, specific procedures and diagnoses.ResultsAverage number of GP consultations increased over the study period for all age groups. Conversation therapy and time-consuming consultations increased over time, while chlamydia testing and contraceptive guidance decreased among young women. Consultations with mental health diagnoses increased substantially over the study period for all age groups. Use of GP and out-of-hours services increased with age, with a peak at the end of upper secondary school. Youth more often met their own regular GP when consulting for mental health diagnoses than for respiratory tract infections.ConclusionThis study confirmed the continuing trend of increasing use of general practice services among youth, with an increase in conversation therapy and consultations with mental health diagnoses. Procedures related to sexual health became less common. Youth usually meet their regular GP for consultations, in particular those whose diagnosis indicates the highest need of continuity. Youth are a healthy group with relatively low GP use. However, consultation rates have been increasing in later years.We found that consultation rates increased more over time than can likely be attributed to known policy changes.Consultations with mental diagnoses and conversational therapy increased substantially among youth aged 13-25, while family planning consultations and related procedures decreased.The youth usually meet their own regular GP, particularly if they have diagnoses indicating higher need for follow-up.