More than half of Australians could be putting their health at risk, with worrying new research from Compare the Market revealing that 51.1% of Aussies surveyed admit to avoiding professional help for health issues.*
The research found that around 1 in 5 people surveyed (19.5%) are taking matters into their own hands by Googling their symptoms or seeking advice from social media.
Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of Health, Steven Spicer, encouraged anyone seeking health advice online to exercise caution.
“The reality is that while there are plenty of great resources available online, it’s becoming a little murky to decipher what’s legitimate health advice and what isn’t,” Mr Spicer said. ‘While the internet can be a great starting point if you’re experiencing a symptom or health concerns, always ensure the facts are accurate and current. And, if you’re suffering a medical emergency, head straight to your hospital or seek advice from your GP.
“Look for legitimate health professionals, Australian Government websites and trusted brands with a track record for providing authoritative health advice and information.
“We’ve heard of people in our own office being bamboozled by advice they’ve found on TikTok or social media that looked and sounded real but wasn’t, so always ensure you’re dotting your ‘I’s and crossing your ‘t’s when it comes to your health.”
Mr Spicer said some health insurers also offer customers a variety of tools and programs that may come in handy if you have a question relating to your health.
“Millions of Australians currently hold a health insurance policy and some may not realise that there’s an array of tools and advice readily available to them if they have a question or concern about their health,” Mr Spicer said. “It’s worth keeping in mind if you have a non-urgent concern that could save you a trip to the GP.”
Compare the Market’s research also found that around 20% of respondents avoided seeking professional help for a health issue over fears a doctor would discover a serious issue. The research also found:
- One in 10 people put off a doctor visit because they’re embarrassed to discuss their health issues
- 3% avoided seeking medical treatment because they didn’t think a health professional would take their issue seriously
- 6% believed they would be wasting their doctor’s time
“It can be scary to seek professional help – especially if you believe you’re dealing with a serious issue – but delaying a visit to your health care professional could be causing more harm than good,” Mr Spicer said. “Health professionals help hundreds of thousands of Australians every day, so there’s every chance that an issue you find embarrassing is something your doctor or specialist already has extensive experience in treating. Similarly, your health is paramount. If you are experiencing illness or injury, getting to the bottom of it is more important than worrying about whether you’re wasting a doctor’s time.”
Compare the Market’s research also found other barriers that prevent Australians from seeking professional health advice include:
- Fears of the cost (14.7%)
- Lack of time (7.3%)
- Preferred doctor not being available (9.6%).
“With bulk-billing doctors disappearing and healthcare costs rising, it’s alarming to see that so many Australians could be suffering in silence because they fear how much a visit to the doctor will cost,” Mr Spicer said. “We would encourage Australians to see if they’re eligible for any free tests or appointments or if any rebates are available to ease the financial burden.
“For example, we know that Medicare can cover eye tests performed by an optometrist. There are a number of free national cancer screening programs, and you may be eligible for other appointments if you’re a concession card holder or meet certain criteria.
“And, if you have health insurance, your policy may already contribute to things like dental visits, prescription eyewear, psychology and more. It’s worth checking before delaying or avoiding these types of appointments completely.”
*Survey of 1,001 Australian adults, conducted September 2024.
For more information, please contact:
Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]
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