Men’s Health Focus

Why men don’t seek medical treatment and why it’s important to change this mindset

Healthcare providers say that a number of men steer away from seeking medical treatment – either for a physical illness or mental health issue. It’s a complex problem, evident over centuries of tradition, where men are seen as the ‘stronger sex’ and admitting to pain or discomfort is viewed as a weakness.

From a young age, many boys are taught not to show outward emotions or talk about their problems. Boys may then grow up to believe that if they have a problem, they should rather deal with it themselves. Unfortunately, the perception includes medical issues and causes men to be reluctant to seek treatment in later years. Several men only seek medical treatment in a crisis situation – an accident or injury or when a health issue becomes too serious to ignore.

In April 2021, a US insurance company conducted a study and found that around 45% of men above 18 years of age had not visited a general practitioner for an annual wellness check-up over the past year. While this may be an American study, the problem is a global one.

Healthcare providers are pushing to change men’s mindsets to ensure that they receive timely medical care. Even though medical science is helping people to live longer, women are still outliving men. There are several reasons for this, including biological, social and behavioural factors, with the latter, notably a lack of routine medical care. Preventative medicine includes annual check-ups and routine tests – it saves lives and increases longevity. By not having an annual check-up or health screenings, men are at increased risk for a number of health issues that may be more easily and/or successfully treated with early detection.

Why Men Avoid the Doctor

•  Fear of failure. Even though gender roles are not as stereotypical as they once were, a number of men still have the perception that admitting to pain or illness undermines their masculinity and role of protector. Seeking medical care could seem like a defeat. Some men may even be anxious about the outcome of the consultation – and rather than give in to these feelings of fear, they avoid the situation.
• Cost of medical care. For some men, the cost of medical care can be a deterrent, with the perception that the illness would heal on its own and that seeking treatment is a waste of money.
• Belief that treatment is unnecessary. This is often linked to mental health issues where a number of men feel that their emotions are private and shouldn’t be openly discussed. The societal stereotype of ‘talking about feelings is something that women do’ leads many men to suffer in silence and not seek treatment. This can have a serious long-term negative effect on a man’s mental health.
• Lack of knowledge or misconceptions. Some men may not know what preventative screenings are available to them and at what age they should have these. Some men may also feel that if they don’t feel ill, that they are healthy and a check-up could be viewed as unnecessary.

Changing the Mindset

Several role players can help to change the mindset of men to attend annual check-ups, preventative screenings and actively seek medical treatment for illness in a timely manner.

Parents

Parents need to be educated on the dangers of teaching boys a ‘macho’ masculine narrative, but rather to encourage them to express their emotions. From a young age, boys should be encouraged to verbalise how they feel and ask for help if they feel unwell, rather than to suffer in silence.

Partners and friends

Life partners and friends can play a positive role in encouraging the men in their lives to attend check-ups or seek medical care. In the same study noted above, about 44% of men said that encouragement from a partner or spouse helped to persuade them to see a doctor. Women partners and friends seem to have the greatest influence at encouraging men to seek care. By offering to make an appointment with a healthcare provider and/or to accompany him to the consultation, a partner or friend can take the first step in opening the conversation with their male loved one.

Other men

Male role models can convey positive messages that a new approach to healthcare for men is needed. Being proactive to protect your good health is as important for your loved ones as it is for yourself.

Employers

Employers are perfectly placed to offer preventative health screenings within the workplace. This provides an easy way for men to have preventative health checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other screenings within their working environments. A sense of comradery with other colleagues can make the situation seem less daunting.

Tshela Healthcare has a comprehensive approach to both individual employee and organisational health and wellness. Improving primary health care within the workplace is essential to the development of employees and this has a positive impact on the growth of the organisation and overall economy. Health screenings and counselling can be done through onsite and offsite clinics. Tshela Healthcare services include preventative health screenings, health promotion and education and chronic and infectious disease management.

To get involved with preventative healthcare programmes or for bespoke solutions for your company, contact us on 053 712 0016 or click on Contacts.

Resources: https://www.webmd.com/; https://www.prnewswire.com/; https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/; https://www.health.harvard.edu/