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.
A third (36%) haven’t been to see their GP in the past year. The poll of 2,000 adults found sore throats (74%), headaches (77%) and stomach aches (66%) are among the issues people often struggle on with, instead of booking an appointment with a healthcare professional.
The research was commissioned by Do Health, a newly launched personalised health companion from Voy, which aims to give people insight into their body through four-monthly tests.
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Co-founder, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, said: “Delaying action can mean missing the window for early intervention, while symptoms may seem harmless in the initial stages, they could become something more severe if not seen to.
“The reluctance and embarrassment people feel can prevent them from seeking support. Ignoring symptoms out of discomfort can put well-being at risk and contribute to unnecessary hardship.
“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.
