Doctor, Doctor Give Me the News — WOMEN Can Help MEN Get the Care They Need

By S. Ramalingam, MD, MBA, Senior Medical Director of UPMC Health Plan

If the man in your life is reluctant to visit the doctor, you’re not alone. More than 60 percent of all health care in the United States is administered to women. That means less than half is given to the opposite sex, which puts them at greater risk for developing diseases to which they are already predisposed by being male — heart disease chief among them.

Why are so many men less likely than women to take charge of their health?

Men may have difficulty talking openly about their health. Or they may be reluctant to make changes in their lifestyle that they anticipate the physician will prescribe. It may also be a form of denial — the “don’t ask, don’t tell” strategy of avoidance. Another factor may be that they just don’t have a good relationship with any one health care provider.

These days, people are more likely to see a specialist than the family doctor. According to the American College of Physicians, the number of primary care physicians has been declining steadily over the past 15 years. Unlike 50 or 60 years ago, when one physician might fix a broken bone, deliver a baby, and help manage a chronic disease, today’s health care is more segmented. Many men may not have had the opportunity to establish a trusting relationship with someone who knows their full medical history.

How can women get the men they love to take the steps they need to improve their health?

First, make an effort to establish a relationship with your family doctor and encourage your father, brother, or significant other to come along. Urge them to follow through on regular preventive exams and to make an appointment when they aren’t feeling well.

Most of all, help the men in your life to understand they need to take responsibility for their own health. A doctor can’t stop them from eating chips in front of the television any more than he or she can order them to pick up around the house. Work together to encourage conversation — in good health and bad — and you’ll go a long way toward helping the man you love lead a healthier life.

“Patient-centered medical home”

Across the United States, efforts are under way to enhance the job of the primary care physician and encourage patients to develop long-term relationships with their doctors much like the ones that existed years ago.What is being called the “patient-centered medical home” is designed to strengthen the bond between you and your personal physician while providing the resources and technology to help you better manage your health.

This model places the patient and physician at the center of care, with supporting roles and division of labor among the the family, the community, and the health insurer. Some resources may include:

• An advocacy service to link patients with community resources
• Providing timely care reminders
• Health coaching to provide support to quit smoking, lose weight, or increase physical activity
• Online interactive health education program for chronic conditions and surgical procedures
• The availability of nurses to assist with patient education and the management of chronic diseases
  

Personal physician can serve as an advocate

A personal physician can serve as an advocate for patients as well as a guide for patients and their families as they navigate through the complex health care system. The world of health care is one of constant advancement and transition. But the main objective never changes: the health and well-being of the patient.

One of the best ways to keep healthy is to stay current with important preventive exams. Take a look at just some of the recommended screenings for men.

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