Counsellors and health workers designed the programme together and work jointly in the clinics. Medical practitioners include gynaecologists, general doctors specialising in adolescents, midwives and nurses, and social workers to undertake counselling.

Young people bring any problem that they wish to discuss to a professional person who is good at listening and well-informed about the situation of young people in their families and wider society. The wide range of problems and issues discussed concern both body and soul. They may wish to see the gynaecologist or midwife for a general check-up, to seek contraceptive help, or for assessment for or treatment of STDs. They also see the counsellors about issues related to these problems, or about problems in their relationships with their parents or friends, existential problems, problems at school and so on.

The number of sessions for individual clients at the clinics varies, ranging from one visit to numerous sessions over the course of a year. Youth who wish to discuss social-psychological problems usually come for an average of 10 sessions.

From the start evaluation was considered essential and built into the programme design in Gothenburg. Visitors to the clinics have answered anonymous questionnaires and participated in indepth interviews. They especially appreciate staff skills in listening, staff having enough time for them, and that it is easy to meet both health and counselling professionals together. The confidentiality of the clinics is also important: the young people know the staff will not release information to their parents, school staff or anyone else. That the clinics are free also makes a major difference.

Parental response has been very positive on the whole. There have only been a few problems, for example, when parents feel that clinic staff should have told them that their child is visiting the clinic. Even though the staff aim for collaboration between the youth, parents and professionals, they stress that parents cannot be informed if the young people do not wish this.

The major "difficulty" encountered by the clinics has been their popularity. This initially led to long waits, whereas the youth stress the importance of rapid contact. Clinic staff devised several strategies to offer a quality service without building up queues. These include improving decision-making on whether the clinics are really the right place for clients' particular problems; more effective collaboration among professionals within and outside the clinics; and reducing the number of sessions per client (e.g., 15 instead of 20 visits). As a result, clients are always seen within one week; their first visit might only be for a few minutes, but this has proved to be better than having the young people wait several weeks for an initial consultation.

The holistic approach has clearly been a significant factor in the clinics' success; health workers and social workers collaborate together under the same roof. Meetings with staff are also seen as meaningful; real contact is made with each individual.