Essay Sample on Reasons for Delayed or Avoidance of Medical Care

Health psychology investigates conditions and remedies for concerns such as obesity, harmful turns of events, and cardiovascular disease. (Ogden, 2022) 

Numerous studies have been undertaken throughout the years to examine the obstacles to health care services, including incorporating different categories and diseases as it pertains to why people decline expert counsel and patient care services, even when they understand they should.  

The most popular explanations were that medical issues would "improve with time" or "improve on their own." Participants frequently said that this was conditional on the problem being minor. (Taber et al., 2022). A tiny group of interviewees also stated that they forgo medical treatment to "take care of themselves." 

Describe 2-3 barriers to visiting a health professional and explain how they affect help-seeking behavior.  

The two barriers to avoiding medical care identified that I would elaborate on are:  

The negative feedback after seeking clinical treatment 

They refuse to have frequent evaluations because they believe their illness or disease will heal on its own. 

Many people, I believe, have a unique viewpoint on being treated or advised by a clinical professional. I've heard a few cases of people being diagnosed with illnesses or indisposition, and the results were mostly unfavorable. 

Furthermore, some individuals presume that they need to acquire more than one piece of advice from specialists for their conditions before taking any solemn steps or measures to begin treatment. Coupled with individuals who are unable to afford certain expenses, or even possess health insurance, or have enough money to undergo testing to obtain a more accurate diagnosis of their illness. 

Consequently, there are those individuals who believe that having the advice of a medical doctor about whatever symptoms or issues they are experiencing is important. Take the advice or information to be passive, meaning that the illness or sickness will eventually go away or heal with time. 

Discuss potential problems related to delaying or avoiding medical care as well as potential solutions for improving help-seeking behavior.  

In addition, people frequently refuse to seek medical attention, even when they acknowledge it is required. According to (Taber et al., 2022), A recent survey in the United States found that one-third of individuals polled avoided going to the doctor. Avoiding medical care may result in delayed illness discovery, a lower lifespan, and possibly avoidable human pain. 

Moreover, research has concentrated on particular issues such as obstacles or psychological factors (e.g., lack of insurance, fear of a diagnosis). (Taber et al., 2022). What's more, there is a high frequency of medical care avoidance in patients' care, which may save lives or reduce suffering by recognizing illness early or treating it immediately. (Taber et al., 2022). 

According to (AAVMC | American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, n.d.), the method for receiving help must be able to convey the person's ideas and feelings in a way that others can comprehend. They contend that resources for coping with the circumstances should be freely available and easily accessible. 

However, (AAVMC | American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, n.d.) discovered a number of additional factors, such as avoiding specific advice or treatments, that may be managed by interventions focused on modifying unfavorable opinions about detailed components of medical care. 

References: 

Aavmc.org. (2022). Retrieved 1 May 2022, from https://www.aavmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Wellbeing-Encouraging_Help_Seeking_Behaviors.pdf. 

Ogden, J. (2022). The Psychology of Health and Illness: an Open Access Course Academia.edu: Retrieved 30 April 2022 from https://www.academia.edu/33995493/The_psychology_of_health_and_illness_an_open_access_course. 

Taber, J., Leyva, B., & Persoskie, A. (2022). Why do People Avoid Medical Care? A Qualitative Study Using National Data Retrieved on the 30th of April, 2022.