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More than a third haven’t been see their GP in the past year (Image: Getty)
Brits avoid seeking professional medical advice due to embarrassment, fearing they’ll get bad news and not being taken seriously. On average, it takes five days for someone to get an appointment to see a doctor about something that’s bothering them.
Many individuals in the UK hesitate to seek medical help due to feelings of embarrassment, the dread of receiving unfavorable news, and concerns over not being taken seriously. Typically, it takes about five days for a person to schedule a doctor’s appointment for any concerning health issue.
Surprisingly, 36% of people haven’t visited their general practitioner in the past year. A survey involving 2,000 adults highlighted that common ailments like sore throats (74%), headaches (77%), and stomach aches (66%) are often endured without consulting a healthcare expert.
This study was conducted by Do Health, a new personalized health service from Voy, designed to offer individuals insights into their well-being through tests conducted every four months.
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Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, co-founder, emphasized the risks of postponing medical attention, saying, “Ignoring symptoms could lead to missed opportunities for early treatment. What may start as minor symptoms could potentially evolve into more serious conditions if left unaddressed.”
“We should try to address this stigma openly by encouraging people to talk about their health concerns and reducing embarrassment. Lasting health is built before intervention is needed – but often, people only act once problems escalate.”
According to the OnePoll.com study, 22% have delayed seeing a medical professional to get their opinion on something which later turned out to be something serious. What’s more, 34% of people have only sought medical advice after being persuaded by someone else.
To be more proactive towards their wellness, 46% said they would need easier access to services and 42% said shorter waiting times would help.
Dr Rangan Chatterjee is co-founder of Do Health (Image: SWNS)
Dr Chatterjee added: “The NHS is geared towards tackling problems once they arise but it’s time to flip the script and start thinking about our health much earlier.
“There is a wealth of information we can get from some very simple tests – which means, you can proactively take control of your health immediately and increase your chances of living a long and healthy life.
“Your body can show warning signs for conditions long before they become a problem, so acting more proactively about our health will help detect these warning signs before they escalate.”
Do Health conducts regular testing of over 50 biomarkers, carried out three times a year, to monitor and assess biological age, focusing on the 11 most significant indicators of health.
Dr Chatterjee said this method evaluates both an individual’s strengths and areas that may require improvement. A personalised 52-week coaching plan is created to suit specific circumstances and varying lifestyles.
He suggested that by addressing nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management, possible health concerns can be addressed at the earliest point of development.
