Why You Don't Need to Be Scared See a Doctor
It may come as a shock to hear that about a third of Australians consciously put off going to see the doctor. This is a staggeringly high number considering how accessible and affordable a visit to the doctor can be. Unfortunately, many people have preconceived ideas and fears associated with going to a medical clinic. Therefore, the following insight can help you assuage some of their fears.
Medical Clinics Are Not Hospitals
A common misconception, particularly for people who do not regularly go to the doctor, is that your first point of contact with any health professional is at the hospital. For people who are already nervous about going to get checked up thinking about visiting a hospital can be a step too far. In fact, for most Australians, a medical clinic with a GP (general practitioner) will be their initial contact for almost every health check-up they have in their life. These medical clinics are much smaller, often located within the suburbs in residential-looking buildings, and have a much less sterilised vibe, the kind that many people try to avoid from a hospital. If you are specifically scared of hospitals then don't worry, you very rarely have to go to one, especially if you have regular check-ups at your local medical clinic.
Doctors Want What's Best For You
There are many conspiracy theories floating around about whether some medical professionals have vested interests in sick people or have quotas they need to fill but this is, of course, all nonsense. A visit to any medical clinic will clear this up almost immediately, with most GP's being extremely friendly who genuinely enjoy their work helping their community. Most people strike up some kind of friendly relationship with their GP over time and this helps with the bond between professional and patient.
It Doesn't Take That Long
Many people only require a regular checkup once or twice a year, especially if you are younger. Despite this only being an annual event for most people it is still often put off, with the excuse that it takes too much time and there simply is not space for it on your day off. In fact, most medical clinics offer appointments as short as 15 minutes long and, as long as you book ahead, they strive to be on time so that they themselves do not have to stay overtime or work through their lunch break.
It Could Save Your Life
Perhaps the most obvious point it bears repeating just so that the stakes are remembered: GP's save lives. The more often you go the more likely it is you catch a disease or virus early enough to do preventative work so you are not seriously affected. Doctors can also order blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and much more, to decipher if you have any life-threatening conditions, although they mostly do this if you are showing symptoms of the disease or something they cannot fully diagnose you with. Remember, millions of Australians have survived disease and conditions that could have killed them if they had never seen a doctor so don't let yourself be part of a statistic. Get checked at a medical clinic as often as you can and ensure you live a healthy and full life.
