Why are men putting off their GP appointments?

We all lead busy lives and there are a million and one reasons one could use to ignore a health concern. But according to the latest data, there is one section of society that is notoriously bad at making GP appointments – men. Could the stereotypical attitude of “man up and tough it out” be damaging men’s health? The answer is yes. So the health experts at YourGP are here to challenge this mind-set and explain why everyone, including men, needs to take their health more seriously.

The facts don’t lie

According to a recent ONS Health Insight Survey, 45.8% of women had attempted to make contact with their GP practice for themselves or someone else in their household in the last 28 days. For men, this figure was just 33.5%. The same research showed men were more likely to say they “rarely or never” used a pharmacy, and they also attended considerably fewer hospital outpatient appointments than women, even when pregnancy-related appointments were discounted.

So why are men less likely to attend routine appointments and more likely to delay seeking medical attention?

Challenging outdated stereotypes

Reasons for avoiding the doctor vary but the crux of many of these excuses lies in the outdated and damaging stereotype that asking for help is a sign of weakness. For this reason, many men bury their head in the sand and ignore the problem in the hope it will simply go away. Others fear being seen as a burden, and some think they are best trying to fix the problem themselves. For many men, this often results in them suffering in silence until the pain becomes unbearable, or until a loved one finally convinces them to get the professional help they need. By then, of course, the issue may be more difficult to treat.

It’s time for change

YourGP’s Dr Phimister believes it’s time for change. “All too often, I see patients with serious health issues that could have been treated more effectively if the patient had made an appointment when they first noticed changes,” he says. “And all too often, it’s men that are reluctant to take their health concerns seriously. Whether it’s a physical or mental health issue, it’s so important to reach out and ask for help.”

YourGP – making it easier than ever to get the help you need

Whether you’re a man with a health concern, or you’re worried about a partner, father or son that is reluctant to get their symptoms checked out, here’s how YourGP is helping to change attitudes to healthcare:

• You can book your appointment anytime using our simple online booking system. That means no need to try to get through a busy phoneline at 8am and being kept on hold, as is the experience of patients at many other practices. Instead, you can book your appointment in just a few simple clicks.
• We offer short-notice, same-day appointments so you can be seen immediately, saving you an anxious wait.
• We also offer a fast turnaround of test results.
• We have two centrally located practices – in Edinburgh’s Dean Village and Dundas Street, making us the convenient choice for anyone living or working in the city.
• Both practices of our practices are open until 6pm on Thursdays, and our Dundas Street practice is also open on Saturdays, so you can book an appointment at a time that suits you, no matter what your work schedule is like.
• We take pride in our warm, open and welcoming environment. We understand how anxious many patients can be about medical matters, so we go out of our way to ensure you have a relaxed experience.
• We offer extended appointment times, up to one hour, so you have ample time to share information and ask questions. We never want our patients to feel rushed.
• We work hard to build lasting, trusting patient–doctor relationships. Patients can request to see a particular doctor if they are available, and you can request a male doctor if you would prefer.

Don’t put it off any longer

If you’ve noticed anything unusual and you’d like to be seen by a friendly, trusted medical professional, contact our team using our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.