Why Is It That Americans Are Visiting a Doctor Less Frequently?
According to a report, Americans are visiting the doctor less than they used to. The Report also found that only 2 percent of the population consider their health "poor."
Gone are the days when the doctor would make house calls and, according to a recent report, the days that we visit a doctor are declining too. A report released this week indicates that Americans now visit a doctor less frequently than they used to. This was compiled from the results of the last Census.
According to the report, in 2010, working-age adults made an average of 3.9 visits to doctors, nurses or other medical providers, down from 4.8 in 2001. Among those with at least one such visit, the average number of visits also declined, from 6.4 to 5.4 over the period.
These findings are from Health Status, Health Insurance, and Medical Services Utilization: 2010, a report examining the relationship between the use of medical services (such as visits to doctors and nights spent in the hospital), health status, health insurance coverage and other demographic and economic characteristics.
Results from the report indicated that most Americans, 66 percent, consider their health either “excellent” or “very good.” Only 2 percent considered themselves in “poor” health.
What do you think is the reason for this decline in visits to the doctor? Is it economic, or are we really as healthy as we appear to think we are?
Sharon
10:11 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Too EXPENSIVE!!!
JJ
5:17 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
They keep you coming back worse than an Amway meeting. Charge too much. I can not find a white middle aged American Doctor. They are all Indians, mostly female. The last female indian doctor with a red dot on her forhead had to stick her finger up my butt. What was I suppose to do, tell her I want a man to do it and I am a man? I stopped going.
Michael Robinson
8:20 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Yes, you should have. Doctors understand that some people mind the opposite gender messing around in sensitive places. I'm not sure what her nation of origin or bindi have to do with anything.
Sportsfan
5:28 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
How ironic. I have an Obama ad with his ugly mug right here on this page.
That pretty much explains it. as healthcare cost keep rising, people will self medicate.
Bill Palmer
8:32 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
I believe there are several factors at work here. First, many people are far more aware of self care through diet and exercise than in the past. Second, more people are aware of spiritual and mental tools for health and well being. Third, the level of competence and ability to communicate properly amongst medical personnel, other than top of the rung specialists, has deteriorated over the past couple of decades.
Crystal Huskey
9:17 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012
I agree with you. I very rarely go to the doctor, for a few reasons. I hate taking medicine, and usually I'm better by the time the medicine would have done its job. For example, if I have the flu or a cold and they give me antibiotics that I have to take for 7-14 days... well, I'm not sick that long. A hot bath and Tylenol work just as well.
Maureen Ruiz
3:53 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
I just had an experience this week. I needed to make an appointment with a gynecologist, my doctor recommended a certain one, when I called they were no longer taking medicare patients, they recommended another doctor, I called them and they also were no longer taking medicare patients, I have medicare plus private insurance. As long as Obamacare is out there seniors no longer can go to a preferred specialist. I feel many seniors will certainly be rethinking doctor visits.