Why men don't go to the doctor

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new survey suggest that the doctor's office is not doing enough to reach out to men with health issues.
Men are notorious for not going to the doctor when they ought to. The leading charity, the UK Men's Health Forum has recently carried out a survey of around 300 men that shows widespread dissatisfaction with the current service offered by family doctors.

The men feel that practises are geared towards women and children. They would find it easier to go to the doctor if the office was open in the evening or at the weekend. They would also like to see more male receptionists and practitioners. Male health clinics would help too.

The survey also suggested that men develop attitudes that don't help foster their health. They give priority to work and have a self image that encourages denial of illness. They do not like to discuss their health and fear the consequences of illness more than women do. Fortunately the UK Government has launched a new consultation exercise designed to address these issues, hoping that it will promote more equality between men's and women's health.

Source
Men's Health Forum 10th November 2005

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