Why people avoid seeing a doctor – breaking healthcare stigma
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The British stiff upper lip. Not wanting to cause a fuss. Busy GP surgeries.
When it comes to the reasons people avoid seeing a doctor, they appear to be plentiful. Join us as we dive deeper into the effects of healthcare stigma, asking why some people delay seeing a doctor, while others avoid it completely.
Healthcare stigma – both internal and external – can cause people to delay or avoid medical care. This can lead to poorer health outcomes and higher system costs. Fear, cultural attitudes, and institutional prejudice contribute to avoidance, but education, support networks, and inclusive healthcare practices can help encourage people to seek the treatment they need.
Understanding healthcare stigma
Healthcare stigma refers to discrimination, prejudice, and negative attitudes towards people and healthcare institutions. This stigma in healthcare can lead some to avoid seeking medical treatment despite being in pain.
Internal vs external stigma
Barriers to healthcare access manifest in two different ways: internally and externally.
Internal stigma Sometimes referred to as ‘self-stigma’, this occurs when people internalise negative beliefs and associations about their own conditions. This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt which, in turn, result in a reluctance to seek necessary healthcare.
External stigma This refers to negative attitudes and opinions people may outwardly hold towards others in society. This can manifest as a lower standard (or complete denial) of healthcare, negative stereotyping of patients, or embedded institutional prejudice. The consequences can range from the delaying of diagnoses, poor communication from healthcare providers to patients avoiding healthcare completely.
Why people delay medical care
From institutional prejudices to simply a dislike of being in a hospital setting, there’s a load of different reasons people delay doctor visits or avoid medical care entirely.
The sections below take a closer look at these reasons.
Fear, anxiety, or “I don’t want to be a burden”
In psychology, the ‘negativity bias’ theory states that negative events have a disproportionally bigger impact on our attitudes and opinions than positive ones. This can have a lasting impact on the way we perceive certain things, which can affect motivation and our willingness to engage. It can also be a major factor that contributes to someone feeling anxious or even fearful about a potential trip to the doctors.
If you were lucky enough to know your grandparents or older members of your family, you may very well have heard them mention ‘not wanting to be a burden’ when asked why they haven’t seen their doctor for a while. Among other factors, counselling and psychological resources point to the following to help overcome this:
A need for greater self-esteem
To scrutinise the barriers towards asking for help
To embrace the perception of being a burden as simply a part of being human.
Cultural and generational attitudes
Fortitude. Self-restraint. Stoicism.
These are all traits associated with the infamous British stiff upper lip. And while this stereotype may be one that’s more associated with older generations, for some it’s still the default setting, especially when it comes to seeking medical care. While some people draw on past experiences where ‘gritting their teeth and getting on with it’ proved successful, the fact of the matter is the older you get, the more important a role healthcare plays.
The hidden impact: when avoidance turns risky
So, let’s just say you know someone who’s hesitant to seek healthcare when they really should be booking a trip to see their doctor. What are the possible consequences of this reluctance? Let’s take a closer look.
Cost to health systems and patients
Did you know that according to the Florence Road Surgery in Ealing, London:
Over 15 million GP appointments are missed each year in the UK
Each of these missed appointments costs the NHS between £30-40
All of this adds up to an annual bill of nearly £600 million.1
That’s not to mention the health implications faced by the would-be patients themselves. These include:
Decreased quality of life – both physically and mentally
Increased risk of conditions becoming chronic and requiring more thorough, costly care in future
Missed earnings due to an inability to work.
Stories that help us understand
If you’re struggling to overcome barriers preventing you from seeking healthcare, take a look at the quotes from previous Practice Plus Group patients. You never know, reading about their experiences may be the key to getting the ball rolling on your medical journey.
“The hospital offers what I’d say is like one-to-one care. You don’t feel like a number on a list. It’s almost like coming in for a little holiday break.”
Diane Boynton-Lee, knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
“I was terrified that surgery would stop me working or riding, but it’s done the opposite – it’s given me a new lease of life. Looking back, I wish I’d had my knee surgery years ago.”
Paula Johnson, knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton
How to break the stigma: steps to encourage healthcare engagement
As healthcare stigma can be fuelled by internal and external factors and influences, it’s perhaps no surprise to hear the approach to breaking these involves and a multi-faceted approach. What could work for an individual won’t necessarily be effective for an entire organisation, for example, and vice versa!
Individuals Back in 1996, soon-to-be Prime Minister Tony Blair made a speech to the Labour Party about the importance of education to their manifesto. “Education, education, education” he famously decreed, and it’s a strong message nearly 30 years later. Educating yourself about any preconceptions you may have around healthcare could help to not only understand them but look past them.
Staying connected and being open and honest about your health concerns with friends and family is also crucial. This isn’t just about self-esteem and feeling better about yourself either, from a logistical point of view, a trusted friend could help you organise hospital trips and help at home during recovery from any treatment.
Healthcare organisations and institutions Just as education for individuals can be a powerful tool when it comes to breaking healthcare stigma, ensuring employees within a medical organisation know how to approach and address issues of healthcare stigma can be very effective.
Providing staff training, launching public awareness campaigns, and ensuring internal company policies are non-discriminatory and inclusive are other ways that can help.
How Practice Plus Group can help
If you suspect you need medical care but, for whatever reason, are reluctant, perhaps we can help. Why not take advantage of some one-to-one time with one of our private GPs? A 30-minute appointment could provide you with the peace of mind you need.
Simply call us on 0330 029 8171 to get yourself booked in.
Consultations with our specialists are available for just £95 at a time and date that’s flexible for you. We have a network of hospitals around the country and, to make our healthcare as accessible to as many people as possible, there’s a variety of ways you can pay:
