Scots men at risk from not seeing GP

Published on Saturday 3 October 2009 19:43

MEN across Scotland are risking their health by refusing to visit their doctor when they feel ill, new research has revealed.

A study of males in three cities – Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen – has shown the majority will avoid going to see their GP "at all costs".

They claim they often don't have time for a doctor's appointment, are too embarrassed or would rather research the complaint on the internet.

Thousands of men, meanwhile, simply hope the illness will go away by itself.

The study has prompted pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to set up an online ManMOT site, staffed by qualified medical staff, where men can go online for advice if they fall ill.

Pfizer medical director Dr Berkeley Phillips said: "Clearly, there are a lot of men out there who are not talking to their GP when they need to, which can lead to life-threatening conditions going undiagnosed.

"The online surgery has been set up to enhance, rather than circumvent, the existing GP-patient relationship. We're hoping the surgery will allow men that feel they don't have the time, or are too embarrassed to visit their GP, to get any health concerns checked over."

The Scottish Government has been trying to reverse Scottish males' reluctance to see a doctor. It launched the Well Men initiative last April aimed at encouraging men to seek help when they have health concerns.

The study, funded by Pfizer, found 76 per cent of men in Aberdeen avoided going to see their GP when they were ill. In Edinburgh, the figure dropped to 63 per cent.

Glasgow fared the best with 52 per cent of men saying they always tried to wriggle out of a doctors' appointment.

• An online surgery, supported by the Men's Health Forum and Sexual Dysfunction Association, will be open from 5 October to 9 October at www.manmot.co.uk.