Sutdies show men do not go to the doctor for check ups, why do you think this is so?

Question

I know I go to the doctor if I think something is wrong but I know other guys who have not been in years even when obvious health issues are present. Should we have programs that are designed to vigorously educate men about their health in order to prevent serious future healthcare costs? Do you think that perhaps this trend is some how contributing to the current state of our healthcare system?

Answer 1

I live in Canada where we have medicare (free services) and I haven't been to a doctor since I was a child. I'm 35 now. Most people go for every tiny little reason which bogs down the system. I'd have to be in severe pain to go to a doctor. Little tweaks and aches hurt for a minute but not enough for me to  visit a doctor. Even if I did, all I'd get is a prescription to BUY drugs. I don't like taking drugs, not even aspirin so it's a waste of time as far as I'm concerned.

Answer 2

it's probably the expense, and the time.  honestly, if didn't HAVE to go to the doctor in order to get the ongoing prescriptions i need i probably wouldn't.

Answer 3

I think it is the technological advances made in society today. I watched one report on Fox News about more and more people doing so-called check-ups on the Internet. I think in the future, the ability to share emotions will decrease as computers become more and more common place.

I don't think it can be pinpointed to a certain gender. As trends change, so does society.

Answer 4

I've observed that a lot of guys don't want to go the doctor to find out that our bad eating habits, smoking habit, or lack of exercise is killing us.  The average guy really isn't taking care of himself and doesn't want to hear a doctor reinforce what we already know.  If you are already health conscious and doing everything in your power you don't mind going for an annual check up so bad. It's not like an annual check up is expensive.  It's more expensive to get colon cancer treatment then it is to get it checked but most guys just don't really seem to want to know.  

With women there seems to be less of a pride issue.  They know their stuff is mandatory. They are at much higher risk when it comes to losing a breast or an ovary because of a tumor. You don't hear of too many guys losing a t******l.

To answer the last part of your question I say yes we should have comprehensive health education programs as well as incentives for men.  A lot of companies are starting to work with their employees HMO providers to provide incentives for regular check-ups, lower cholesterol levels, and  lower b.m.i.

Some health providers offer flex-account dollars for employees that exhibit an extra interest in maintaining good health.  Perhaps as this type of program becomes more prevalent more of our gender will take our health maintenance seriously.

Answer 5

There's the whole macho thing theory.

But I think it there's the other side to it all, women are usually the primary care giver and therefore takes the kids to the docters and whilst there gets things checked and has the preventative health checks such as pap smears etc.

Answer 6

they are too proud and think it is a sign of weakness

Answer 7

Most men live a very busy life they work full time and they have hobbies that usually take them out of town or at least take up most of their weekend.  They really don't have time to make an appointment.  But my guy goes to the dentist every 6 months and has his eyes checked every 2 years.  He had a bad bout this year where he ended up in the emergency room but its been rectified and he does take his choleterol pills every day.  I mean you can only do so much, life is short and we weren't made to live on this planet forever.

Answer 8

Do you have a link to this study? If it is true, which I think it isn't, men only go to the doctor when we are in pain or have been sick for an unusual amount of time.

Answer 9

De-nile is not just a river in Egypt.

Answer 10

I am not sure.   Maybe they figure if they don't go they won't find out they have any problems.     It could be part of the leftover (from adolescence) nothing can harm me syndrome.

If we had programs that would lessen costs for those who go for regular checks men might respond to the $$$ savings.  

How does it contribute to our healthcare crisis?  - that by 45 men who end up with health problems ( that may have been caught earlier) end up costing the health care system twice what  they should.

good question

Answer 11

I think it's the way our society looks at men who seek help, I guess. They think that men who are tough and all are more manly and less feministic and less weak. They are taught from early on never to cry, etc. etc. I would say it's a shameful trend with society.

Answer 12

Because we don’t need our maxi-pads changed once a month.

I personally think that people should go to the doctor only if they are experiencing a serious problem.

Answer 13

bcuz they dont want to be grabbed on

Answer 14

I think most men go by the old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Even if there is something wrong, if it isn't completely debilitating, they probably won't get it checked out. I know I'm guilty of this - I hate doctors. I exercise, eat decently, and take care of myself. I only go to the doctors when I "have to" (had to for college sports, job drug tests, etc.).  So why don't I go? I don't know... I don't feel like going through the hassle, don't feel like getting poked and prodded by some weird dude, and I figure if it were THAT bad, I'd know, and I would go. People always say it's about toughness or other things, but I don't know if that really has anything to do with it.

So is this contributing to the state of our healthcare? Absolutely - preventitive maintenance is used in most construction projects. Roads for instance will have a bunch of small, simple treatments throughout their life. Then eventually, they will break down completely, and be completely torn out. This extends the life of the road as well as saves the government (or road owner) money because it does a series of small, cheap construction projects on it rather than a couple of large, costly ones. This metaphor would carry over to the healthcare system as well.

Answer 15

This is an issue, there are women like this but it seems a lot of male cases in which men will ignore a problem, like if they have a lump.

I think there should be more emphasis to people about getting checked out and making them feel not scared about the thought.

Although my mother for example wont have a smear or breast test.

Answer 16

They don't want to hear that something is actually wrong every man I know things if they don't hear it...whatever is wrong will just disappear like it doesn't even exist.

Answer 17

Should we have programs that are designed to vigorously educate men about their health in order to prevent serious future healthcare costs? Do you think that perhaps this trend is some how contributing to the current state of our healthcare system?

Yes and yes.

Top Ten Reasons Why  men don't go to the doctor:

(thanks, Dave)

10.  perception of weakness

9.   too busy, don't want to take the time

8.   "white coat" anxiety - some people just hate being a patient

7.  **lack of understanding about the cost/benefit ratio of preventative health care**

6.  They feel fine

5.   Nobody enjoys blood work

4.  Unattractive medical assistants

3.  they know they will be told to change lifestyle habits and they aren't willing, so why bother?

2.    they refuse to give in to the nagging

And the number one reason:

1. They fear the rubber glove

(just having fun, guys!)

Answer 18

It's really simple.

Men for the most part are raised to be tough.

Also, men are busy working.