DENTON (UNT), Texas - After noticing a suspicious lump, a persistent sore or a chronic cough, low-income Dallas residents tend to treat themselves, then wait about a month before seeing a physician, according to a University of North Texas anthropologist.
Dr. Tyson Gibbs, assistant professor of anthropology, surveyed 200 people waiting for treatment at Dallas County's only public hospital, Parkland Memorial Hospital, which has a large number of indigent patients and depends on Medicaid reimbursement to cover the cost of treating them. Approximately 90 percent of those surveyed were African American.
Preliminary results indicate that 74 percent of those surveyed said they treat themselves for an illness that doesn't prevent them from continuing daily activities, such as a cold or sore throat, instead of seeking medical help. Seventy percent said they would treat a lump, cough or other chronic condition themselves before going to a clinic or physician.
If the lump or cough doesn't go away right away, most of those surveyed would wait four weeks before seeking medical help, Gibbs says.
"Should their condition be a sign of serious illness like cancer, they are putting themselves in jeopardy by waiting to seek treatment," he says.
Low-income Dallas residents may be more likely to seek treatment for an acute illness that prevents them from performing daily activities. Only 20 percent of those surveyed said they would treat themselves for an illness of this nature without seeking medical help. Eighty percent said they would go to a clinic or physician.
"However, 60 percent of those surveyed said they had no regular doctor, and while 22 percent had Medicaid and 42 percent had Medicare, the rest had no insurance at all," Gibbs says.
"People reported seeking health care, but you wonder how they are paying for it."
Gibbs says he began his research after reading similar studies on the steps that people take for health care.
"Previous research indicates that once a person recognizes a problem, he or she will try self-treatment or wait it out until the problem annoys him or her enough," he says. "I want to know what makes people annoyed."
In other findings:
l In listing the 10 most important things in their lives, survey respondents tended to list God and church, relatives, children and money before health. Some respondents may believe that faith will take care of health problems and delay seeking professional treatment, Gibbs says.
l Unlike in similar surveys, none of the respondents admitted seeking an outside healer, such as a faith healer or psychic, for treatment.
**UNT**
Contact:
Nancy Kolsti, Public Information Officer
University of North Texas News Service
(940) 565-3509
[email protected]
RSS