LEEDS, England, May 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Millions of us are so embarrassed about intimate health issues we won't discuss them with our doctor or even our own partner, a study revealed today (20 May).
Researchers found that 65 per cent of people in the UK would rather suffer in silence than endure a face-to-face conversation about our intimate symptoms.
Sixty-three percent of people felt embarrassed about talking to their doctor and 38 per cent about confiding in their partner.
Instead, people are turning to the internet. Forty-one per cent had self-diagnosed via the internet and 17 per cent admitted to buying drugs online. Seventy-six per cent would choose to consult a GP online rather than face-to-face if they could.
The survey of 2,000 people was commissioned by the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service, which offers online consultations with NHS GPs.
Dr Nitin Shori, Medical Director of the service, said: "Sadly, this research confirms that our famous British reserve is holding us back when it comes to seeking help for intimate health problems.
"Sometimes, just talking to your other half can really help to ease the burden, and then give you the confidence you need to approach a doctor."
Editors notes
- The Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service offers consultations with a working NHS GP on a wide range of medical problems. Patients complete a comprehensive questionnaire, tailored to the symptoms they report, and the GP responds with medical advice and, if required, a prescription or a recommendation for further tests. The service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission. http://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/onlinedoctorThe service is not suitable formedical emergencies.
- Online consultations can be completed at any time of day or night; patients can expect a response back from the GP within 24 hours. If medication is prescribed, this is followed up by aftercare checks.
- The GPs behind the online doctor service are all working NHS GPs, running local surgeries. Medical Director Dr Nitin Shori is a GP in North Wales and a peer reviewer for the British Medical Journal.
About the research
Pharmacy2U commissioned the survey of 2,000 UK adults (in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). The research was carried out by OnePoll (a member of ESOMAR) in January 2013.
