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I read with interest the article appropriately named ‘Girl power’ by
Abi Berger 1 about their all-female GP practice, but I believe this
illustrates an inequality of health care delivery in primary care.
As Ian Banks 2 points out in the same issue, men may either choose
not to go to the doctors or delay it resulting in late presentation which
can alter outcome. Most doctors will have anecdotal evidence of this
although no more so in my particular speciality Urology.
Some men find discussing symptoms or problems relating to the genito-
urinary tract difficult even in optimum conditions. Men may experience a
general loss of confidence, dignity and feel an insult has been placed on
their masculinity, and despite the recent surge in men’s health promotion
in magazines, on the television and the internet, this is a problem that
will remain for some time.
There is no doubt a good doctor is a good doctor irrespective of sex
and men attending Dr. Berger’s practice who were questioned agreed. These
men hopefully represent the majority – men who care about their health
enough to go to the doctors (and hence be asked their opinion). What about
the minority of men who find going to see their doctor about any issue
extremely difficult and faced with an all-female practice may decide
against attending. Whilst raising awareness of such conditions such as
testicular cancer in the media we may as a profession fail some men who
would find discussing this with a female doctor difficult if not
impossible.
Of course, determined patients will always get there in the end, but
shouldn’t provision of care at the primary level be suitable for all?
Girl power or health inequality?
I read with interest the article appropriately named ‘Girl power’ by
Abi Berger 1 about their all-female GP practice, but I believe this
illustrates an inequality of health care delivery in primary care.
As Ian Banks 2 points out in the same issue, men may either choose
not to go to the doctors or delay it resulting in late presentation which
can alter outcome. Most doctors will have anecdotal evidence of this
although no more so in my particular speciality Urology.
Some men find discussing symptoms or problems relating to the genito-
urinary tract difficult even in optimum conditions. Men may experience a
general loss of confidence, dignity and feel an insult has been placed on
their masculinity, and despite the recent surge in men’s health promotion
in magazines, on the television and the internet, this is a problem that
will remain for some time.
There is no doubt a good doctor is a good doctor irrespective of sex
and men attending Dr. Berger’s practice who were questioned agreed. These
men hopefully represent the majority – men who care about their health
enough to go to the doctors (and hence be asked their opinion). What about
the minority of men who find going to see their doctor about any issue
extremely difficult and faced with an all-female practice may decide
against attending. Whilst raising awareness of such conditions such as
testicular cancer in the media we may as a profession fail some men who
would find discussing this with a female doctor difficult if not
impossible.
Of course, determined patients will always get there in the end, but
shouldn’t provision of care at the primary level be suitable for all?
1. BMJ 2001; 323: 1077
2. BMJ 2001: 323: 1058
Competing interests: No competing interests