Access to primary care for children and young people (CYP) in the UK: a scoping review of CYP’s, caregivers’ and healthcare professionals’ views and experiences of facilitators and barriers

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine children and young people’s (CYP), caregivers’ and healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) views or experiences of facilitators and barriers to CYP access to UK primary care services to better understand healthcare inequity. To explore differences across CYP subpopulations with greater health needs from deprived areas, identifying as ethnic minorities, with experiences of state care, special educational needs or disabilities, chronic conditions or mental health problems.DesignScoping review.Eligibility criteriaIncluded studies were in English, published 2012–2022 and reported: the views/experiences of CYP (0–25 years), caregivers or HCPs about accessing UK primary care; using quantitative or qualitative empirical methods.Data sourcesPubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Scopus.ResultsWe included 47 reports (46 studies). CYP/caregivers’ decision to access care was facilitated by CYP/caregivers’ or their family/friends’ ability to identify a health issue as warranting healthcare attention. Barriers to accessing care included perceived stigma (eg, being seen as a bad parent), embarrassment and discrimination experiences. CYP and caregivers believed longer opening hours could facilitate more timely access to care. Caregivers and HCPs reported that delayed or rejected referrals to secondary or adult care were a barrier to having needs met, especially for CYP with poor mental health. CYP and caregivers in numerous studies emphasised the importance of communication and trust with HCPs, including taking their concerns seriously, being knowledgeable and providing continuity of care for CYP. Common barriers reported across high-need subpopulations were caregivers needing knowledge and confidence to advocate for their child, gaps in HCP’s knowledge and a lack of connectedness between primary and secondary care.ConclusionsConnecting general practices and community health workers/services, improving CYP/caregivers’ understanding of common childhood conditions, addressing HCP’s knowledge gaps in paediatric care and integrated approaches between primary and secondary care may reduce inequity in access.