The influence of gender and other patient characteristics on health care-seeking behaviour: a QUALICOPC study

Abstract

BackgroundCanadians’ health care-seeking behaviour for physical and mental health issues was examined using the international Quality and Cost of Primary Care (QUALICOPC) survey that was conducted in 2013 in Canada.MethodThis study used the cross-sectional Patient Experiences Survey collected from 7260 patients in 759 practices across 10 Canadian provinces as part of the QUALICOPC study. A Responsive Care Scale (RCS) was constructed to reflect the degree of health care-seeking behaviour across 11 health conditions. Using several patient characteristics as independent variables, four multiple regression analyses were conducted.ResultsPatients’ self-reports indicated that there were gender differences in health care-seeking behaviour, with women reporting they visited their primary care provider to a greater extent than did men for both physical and mental health concerns. Overall, patients were less likely to seek care for mental health concerns in comparison to physical health concerns. For both women and men, the results of the regressions indicated that age, illness prevention, trust in physicians and chronic conditions were important factors when explaining health care-seeking behaviours for mental health concerns.ConclusionThis study confirms the gender differences in health care-seeking behaviour advances previous research by exploring in detail the variables predicting differences in health care-seeking behaviour for men and women. The variables were better predictors of health care-seeking behaviour in response to mental health concerns than physical health concerns, likely reflecting greater variation among those seeking mental health care. This study has implications for those working to improve barriers to health care access by identifying those more likely to engage in health care-seeking behaviours and the variables predicting health care-seeking. Consequently, those who are not accessing primary care can be targeted and policies can be developed and put in place to promote their health care-seeking behavior.

Impact of peer support on student mental wellbeing: a systematic review

“…However, participants in both studies were almost exclusively female (Biro, Veres-Balajti, and Kosa, 2016) (Twomey, 1991). This was perhaps because participation to engage in the peer support programme was voluntary with no other incentives, and females are more likely to associate with similar others (Szell and Thurner, 2013), and engage with help-seeking behaviours better than men (Thompson et al, 2016). Twomey (1991) agrees with the concept that "we like people and situations which provide reinforcement for us", however does not state that this theory is limited for females.…”

“…Thus, the intervention had a significant impact on mental wellbeing for those who engaged with it. Engagement in peer support is consistently higher in women, because are more likely to ask for help (Thompson et al, 2016). So, although peer support programmes may encourage students to seek support earlier, peer support intervention designs should be mindful that the methodology retains student engagement and appeals to both sexes.…”

Chlamydia in Canada, 2010–2015

“…Several studies have indicated that females may be more biologically susceptible to chlamydia than males (18,19). Furthermore, they are also more likely to seek health care (19,20). Infections in females are frequently asymptomatic, and untreated infections can lead to serious complications and morbidity such as pelvic inflammation, ectopic pregnancies and infertility (21,22).…”

Osteoporosis knowledge translation for young adults: new directions for prevention programs

“…33,35 The increased reliance on doctors as an important source of information for women also reflects trends in the literature that identify women as more likely to engage with health professionals. 36 Parents and health professionals were considered to be reliable due to their personal and professional relationships with participants. To potentiate this line of knowledge transfer, parents of adolescents and young adults should also receive osteoporosis information that focusses on long-term benefits of calcium and vitamin D intake.…”