Most people can think of more than a million reasons not to go to the doctor. In fact, according to one study, more than a third of people involved reported unfavorable evaluations when asked why they did not go to the doctor. Others did not think they had a reason to go to the doctor, and some expected that their illness would go away on its own.
There were other concerns, too, even for those who need to see a doctor. These concerns centered around things like time commitments, cost, insurance headaches, and more. It is clear, there are some real reasons people are avoiding going to the doctor. Getting to know more about the most common reasons can help doctors and practitioners figure out how to overcome them. Keep reading to learn what some of the most common objections are.
1. The Cost
One of the top reasons people do not go to the doctor or seek medical care is (something anyone could guess) the cost. In fact, according to one survey, two-thirds of Americans have put off or delayed this care because of how worried they were about the price of the care they sought. This is not an irrational fear, because many people who do seek care, approximately one out of four who are under the age of 65, will have to deal with medical debt at some point.
While this is true, it is important to note that the high prices are just one piece of this puzzle. Keep reading to learn more.
2. Personal Reasons
According to another interview, some people who had gone several years without seeing a doctor revealed several reasons for this avoidant behavior. Some concerns were centered around prejudice and body shaming, while others focused on the overwhelming fear that people have of getting bad news. Many potential patients would rather remain in the dark after multiple years of subpar behaviors in the realm of health and well-being.
Men, especially, had a hard time rationalizing the need for medical care. In fact, they are up to 24% less likely than most women to have visited a doctor in the past year. In fact, there are reports from one doctor that stated male patients claimed to avoid going to the doctor for several years because of the belief of what may happen during the appointment. One of the main fears is a potential prostate exam.
3. Appointment Scheduling
Another issue that may occur for many potential patients is properly scheduling appointments. Trying to find time for appointments and having to deal with almost endless paperwork can be daunting for anyone, especially seniors.
The Importance of Regular Medical Care
When it comes to medical care, a person should not put it off. Regardless of age, a person needs to seek healthcare services regularly to ensure there are no serious issues present that need to be addressed. Failure to seek care on a regular basis is going to lead to countless issues and, in some cases, serious medical problems.
If someone puts off medical care for too long, they may develop serious conditions that are unable to be treated with simple methods. Being informed is the best way to ensure the desired results are achieved and that a person receives the healthcare services needed.
