The 10 REAL Reasons Men Don't Go to the Doctor

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2009

the doctor who wrote this is an idiot, for lack of a better word. clearly she does not speak on my behalf because i'm a man that definitely does not have a problem going to a doctor and getting anything done that needs to be done to keep myself healthy. it should be titled:

the 10 real reasons some men don't go to the doctor

one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. tired of women making blanket statements about men as a whole. this is one man that does not make them about women.

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 30, 2009

the doctor who wrote this is an idiot, for lack of a better word. clearly she does not speak on my behalf because i'm a man that definitely does not have a problem going to a doctor and getting anything done that needs to be done to keep myself healthy. it should be titled:
the 10 real reasons some men don't go to the doctor
one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. tired of women making blanket statements about men as a whole. this is one man that does not make them about women.

i'm going to have to agree with paco on this one. i think that some of the points made in this article are valid but that definately does not apply to all men. i think the reason why it is titled "the 10 real reasons why men don't go to the doctor" is more for effect (adding the word "some" seems to water down the statement even if it makes it more accurate) but the title definitely makes a blanket statement. i think that if this article had been about women instead of men we would have seen a bigger backlash. thats just my :twocents:

!chris :specs:

Anxious Patient · Apr 30, 2009

I think she was trying to be funny, but it came off patronizing. And you're right, if a male doctor attempted such humor singling out women......well, it just wouldn't happen. Many of the "reasons" she listed have been included in lots of TV sitcom comedies, helping to create the stereotype of the reluctant male patient. I think Seinfeld, George and Kramer would have had a field day with this topic. Not that there's anything wrong with it.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2009

I think that if this article had been about women instead of men we would have seen a bigger backlash. Thats just my

You clearly extended my train of thought on this, thanks! :up:

dnp2004 · Apr 30, 2009

It is quite obvious the author of this article clearly doesn't understand men and the real reasons they don't see medical professionals. Since I was a military health care provider for years I have seen far more male patients than female. While her intent is good, based on what she is saying, I believe she has not communicated well with her male patients.

For reason number two Dr. Orrange writes, "2) You are afraid we will examine your balls." Where did that come from! If she was a male doctor writing about us could she get away with writing, You are afraid we will examine your *****.:angryfire Can you imagine my reaction if a man wrote an article about why it is silly for me not to receive an intimate exam from him! Frankly I am surprised this article was even published and would never give it to my husband or sons to read and I hope no one else does either. I don't want them to feel these reviews respresent the majority of us. If I have the time I will post a more detailed "review".

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2009

Tired of women making blanket statements about men as a whole. This is one man that does not make them about women.

I'm gonna go on the record and correct my statement above as follows, before anyone accuses me of being a hypocrite:

Tired of certain women making blanket statements about men as a whole. This is one man that does not make them about women.

That's what I get for typing too fast ... carry on ... :smokin:

leemacaz · Apr 30, 2009

The doctor came across as bit arrogant and anti-male to me. She also forgot that men frequently prefer same gender providers as do many woman...

58flyer · Apr 30, 2009

This is a sore subject for me. :uhoh3: The REAL reason men don't go to the doctor is due to the great double standard in patient modesty. The simple fact of the matter is that many men have encountered a callous disregard for their dignity when it comes to intimate exams. By callous disregard I mean a general failure to provide privacy, appropriate draping, or an attitude that men are not as modest as women. Many men have experienced doors to the exam room being left open, staff barging in during exams, strip as you go exams, or, worst of all, the idea that it is OK to injure men because of the reality of a certain aspect of being male, the dreaded erection at the wrong time. (See my thread on "EEK! There is a woman in my room!) The tendency of men to find it difficult to express concerns of an emotional nature only adds to the problem. It is embarrassing to admit that you are embarrassed. Consequently, many men have a collective experience of associating healthcare with being humiliated.

I'm sure women have been subjected to some inappropriate behaviors over the years, but overall it is far less than men have encountered. People tend to mind their Ps & Qs when it comes to the personal parts of female patients, and generally women have more confidence in the healthcare system than men.

The bottom line: Women have more confidence in the healthcare system because collectively they are treated more respectfully than men. It's as simple as that.

In all fairness I have noted that in recent years a much better attention to privacy. Maybe some of that is due to HIPAA, I just don't know. Maybe it is in my approach to dealing with medical personnel. I just won't tolerate certain attitudes like I used to. I used to fear medical people, now I am much more assertive.

But, I still have vivid recollection of the days when the doc, using the strip as you go technique, would tell you, nearing the end of the exam, to drop the gown, stand up, totally naked, turn your head and cough, and then bend over the exam table, still fully naked, and have a gloved finger inserted into your rectum, and at the tender age of 19. All the while the exam room door is partly open. What do you think that does for my confidence in healthcare, and for my ability to turn to the healthcare system for these exams at a time when I really need them? :angryfire

No medical person wants to admit that they might be harming their patients. It is very easy to blame the patient, then theorize why men don't go to the doctor. As a man, it is really hard to express oneself when asked why we delay when it comes to our health. I still remember when the urologist asked why I delayed having a lump on my testicle checked for a whole year, at age 24, and I just sat there in silence. And then he performed a strip as you go exam, and opened the door to walk out while I was still standing there stark naked. Yet he wouldn't even consider doing a full nude exam on a female, then he wonders why his male patients lack trust. :madface:

The preponderance of females in nursing and ancillary staff in hospitals and clinics, and as unlicensed assistive personnel, only adds to the problem, as men frequently find they have no choice in who is exposing the personal bits.

It's simple, you treat people with RESPECT, you have their trust, if not, you don't.

That's why men don't go to the doctor. :banghead:

Batman24 · Apr 30, 2009

I don't think she had ill intentions and I don't think her purpose was to offend but as a woman I didn't care for her language. I think she was trying to be funny but balls and butt really had no place here. Slang for private parts by a doctor isn't appropriate. If a comedian had said that we might have had a chuckle if they shared a story about their butt or balls but not coming from a doctor whether they be male or female or addressing male or female patients.

Some of her points are valid. Both sexes might put it off because they feel fine, are worried what the doctor will say. don't like an invasive exams, etc. These are common and normal reasons. One big one that I don't see mentioned is cost and that's a big one as well as is fear when patients really do think something is wrong and they are afraid to find out.

The doc leaving the door open like 58 talks about has an easy solution. Close the door, put your clothes back on and leave after telling them the behavior is unacceptable. The other is to close the door, have the doctor sit, and explain how inappropriate leaving the door open is and get them to see it through your eyes. Sometimes people just really need to be told in a polite but firm way.

dnp2004 · May 2, 2009

Yours points are very valid about; worrying, invasive exams, cost and fear. In the United States I can understand why an uninsured person might avoid a physician's visit. They may not have the money for the exam in the first place. Even if they did they may not be able to afford cancer treatments, open heart surgery or a transplant. So what would the point of the exam be in the first place? To find out you have a disease that can't be treated?

I agree with you BATMAN24, the Doc leaving the door open like 58flyer talks about has an easy solution. Send him back to kindergarten for reeducation! A person with 21 years of education (13:school, 4:premed, 4:med) who does not have the common sense and/or decency to close the door behind a naked person, yes even a male naked person, is pathetic. Most 5 year olds have more common sense! If any caregiver did that to me or my family I would say something to them alright, albeit in a firm but very politically incorrect, non-polite, way!

As an OB/GYN I would never let anyone in my practice get away with showing such disrespect for a patient who is in such a vulnerable position. That is not to say it did not happen at my practice. Once someone on my team was working on a patient and left the room to take a personal call. This was against the rules. They then just left the door open while the patient was exposed. She yelled for someone to please close the door but no one was in earshot. I happen to walk by and heard what was happening.

She was screaming and weeping at the same time. I immediately closed the door and went over to the patient and apologized. Since it was my practice I felt ultimately responsible. The worst part is when she cried, "why did she do that to me?!" The offending nurse came in the room about 3 minutes later. I asked what happened and she said, I had to get a call. When the patient asked about the door, she replied, "it is not a big deal, I am a professional, you don't have anything I haven't seen before." I immediately terminated her and made a report to the State BON. From what I heard the patient has not gone to an OB/GYN since that experience. So for the last 10 years she has had no GYN care.

I have the feeling some of you will think I am extreme. Although after that I never had problems with idiots leaving doors open.

TuTonka · May 2, 2009

the doctor who wrote this is an idiot, for lack of a better word. clearly she does not speak on my behalf because i'm a man that definitely does not have a problem going to a doctor and getting anything done that needs to be done to keep myself healthy. it should be titled:
the 10 real reasons some men don't go to the doctor
one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. tired of women making blanket statements about men as a whole. this is one man that does not make them about women.

i wanted to say thanks and say i dislike stero typing myself and i am tired of men making blanket statements about women. it is nice to see one that shares my opinion. kudos to you. :yeah: