Why Do People Shy Away From Healthcare?
Some people have no problems accessing the healthcare they need. When they have an ache, pain, illness, or injury, they make an appointment without delay. However, that’s not everyone’s experience. In fact, studies have even been conducted to try to get to the bottom of why people don’t always seek care when they need it. It’s sometimes for these reasons:
Being Fearful of What It Takes to Recover
Recovery from some illnesses and injuries can take a long time. Not everyone understands what’s involved and can be daunted by the prospect of receiving specialist care.
Rather than learn about the stages of physical therapy and other forms of healthcare, they wait for their illness or injury to heal on its own. Sometimes, this can mean the sufferer doesn’t return to full activity as quickly as they like. They may even never fully recover.
Fearing a Diagnosis
Some illnesses and injuries can be so scary for those experiencing them that they avoid seeking healthcare to avoid a diagnosis. A diagnosis can make a disease or injury more real. If it’s severe enough, they may see a diagnosis as a death sentence.
However, having a diagnosis for a disease or condition can put you in a powerful position. You now know what’s wrong with you, what you can do to ease your discomfort, and potential treatment options to put you on the path to recovery.
Being too Busy
It can seem like you never have any free time between working, caring for your family, and running errands. Seeking treatment for a suspected illness or injury would mean less time for the abovementioned activities.
It’s easy to associate healthcare with spending several hours waiting in the emergency department. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can make an appointment with your doctor and be seen at a set time. You might even be able to organize a telehealth appointment, where you can sit in the comfort of your home and use your smartphone, computer, or tablet for your appointment.
The Cost
The cost of healthcare in the United States can cause many people to avoid seeing a healthcare professional to alleviate their pain and discomfort. They often don’t believe they can pay for treatment, even if they received a diagnosis to take a weight off their mind.
However, you have a variety of options at your disposal. There are many competitively priced health insurance providers to reduce the financial burden of healthcare. Community health centers are also renowned for providing low-cost healthcare services in the form of general primary care, referrals for specialized care, and child health services. Cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to getting the help you need.
Past Bad Experiences
Some people may be less likely to receive healthcare if they have had a bad experience with a doctor or other provider in the past. Negative events can make some people nervous, fearful, or just distrusting of healthcare professionals. Even if they can get the help they need, they’re not always eager to seek it out.
There may come a time when an illness or injury becomes so severe that healthcare is unavoidable. Don’t let these barriers above stop you from seeking help. You can rely on trained healthcare professionals and therapists to provide the ongoing support you need.