What Health Problems Do Korean Women Think Is Important?.
- Author:
Sun Mi YOO
1
;
Yun Mi SONG
;
Min Seon PARK
;
Jeong Hee YANG
;
Eun Young CHOI
;
Jung Jin CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
women's health;
attitude to health;
health services;
communication;
patient education
- MeSH:
Aged;
Arthritis;
Attitude to Health;
Delivery of Health Care;
Diagnosis;
Family Practice;
Female;
Gynecological Examination;
Health Promotion;
Health Services;
Humans;
Osteoporosis;
Patient Education as Topic;
Stroke;
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms;
Women's Health;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine
2003;24(11):986-993
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the health problems which women feel important and what they want to know from their doctors in the family practice clinics. METHODS: The subjects were all female patients who visited the family practice clinics at the four hospitals in which some members of the Study Group for Women's Health in Korean Academy of Family Medicine worked from December 10 to 15, 2001. We surveyed by self-administered questionnaire on important health topic, health care services they woud like to receive, what they expected from their doctors, what topics they have difficulty in discussing with, the doctors preference of physician's gender. We analyzed the results by age groups; 19~44, 45~64, and 65 years old and over. RESULTS: A total of 437 women answered the questionnaires, whose mean age was 49.4 year. Health topics that women felt important were osteoporosis, stress, cervical cancer, arthritis, and stroke, which varied with the age groups and recent health perception. The provision of health care services which they desired were in the order of treatment, prevention and health promotion, and diagnosis, which varied with the age groups and recent health perception. What they expected from their doctors were in the order of giving accurate diagnosis, explaining the treatment plan, and answering their questions. They had difficulty undergoing physical exam undressed, gynecological exam, and discussing on their sexual problems. CONCLUSION: Women who visited the family practice clinics felt differently on important health problems according to the age groups. Overall, they wanted to receive health services on the treatment, prevention and health promotion of osteoporosis, stress, cervical cancer, and arthritis.