Seeking Health Care

General strategy If you do not understand the Dr.’s explanation, ask questions until you do.

How do theories help? Generate research Organize observations Help in predicting behavior

Health belief model (theory) Beliefs predicting health-seeking behavior Perceived susceptibility to disease Perceived severity of the disease Perceived benefits of behavior Perceived barriers (E.g. Cost)

Theory of Reasoned Action Intention to act or not Shaped by: Attitude toward the behavior Subjective norm Social pressure Do your friends like the idea

Theory of Planned Behavior Attitude toward the behavior Subjective norms Perceived behavioral control How hard will it be to get what I want. If people think they can accomplish something, they are more apt to intend to do it.

Precaution adoption process model 7 Stages toward health-related behavior 1. Unaware of personal risk 2. Aware, but think it will not apply to them Optimistic bias 3. Accept they are personally susceptible But do not take action 4. Decide to take action 5. Decide action is unnecessary 6. Already taken precautions 7. Maintaining precautions

Seeking medical attention Illness behavior Before diagnosis Action with symptoms Sick role behavior After diagnosis Even self-diagnosis

Seeking medical attention Gender differences Women are more likely to go to the doctor

Symptom Characteristics 4 factors determining response 1. Visibility of the symptoms To self and others 2. Perceived severity of symptoms 3. Interferes with personal life 4. Frequency & persistence

Conceptualization of disease Integrating new information with what they already “know”

Conceptualization of disease 5 steps Identity of disease “Heart attack” or “Heartburn” 2. Time line Chronic or acute 3. Cause Physical, emotional, or spiritual 4. Consequences Fear of consequences Breast cancer or AIDS

Receiving health care Medicare 2. Medicaid Over age 65 “Care for the elderly” 2. Medicaid “Aid the poor” Low income Disability Pregnancy

People without insurance Emergency room “Dock-in-the-box” Convenient care clinic

Helping children with hospitalization Reassurance increases fears “Nothing to be afraid of” Modeling Modeling + cognitive = drugs