Hierarchy of the main factors predicting the decision to go to the doctor in a general population sample: A factorial survey design.

Abstract

To obtain a hierarchy of the main factors that predict the decision to go to the doctor when symptoms are not yet linked to a specific disease. 64 representative vignettes, combinations of nine factors, were presented to 168 adults between 28-60 years of age. Multilevel multiple regression models were used to rank the main factors predicting urgency to see a doctor in order of importance: the interference of symptoms in daily activities (B = -1.29; p < .001), fear (B = -0.96; p < .001), pain (B = -0.90; p < .001), access to medical care (B = -0.64; p < .001) and confidence in the doctor (B = -0.27; <.05). Moreover, gender (B = 0.56; p < .05) and educational level (B =-0.31; p < .05) explained part of the interindividual variation in the daily symptoms' interference. When a specific disease has not yet been diagnosed, daily symptoms' interference is the factor that most strongly increases the urgency to visit a doctor, especially among men and among people with a higher level of education. To reduce delay, generic health prevention campaigns should place more emphasis on possible interference in daily activities than on the meaning of symptoms for health.