J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2003 Nov;24(11):986-993.

What Health Problems Do Korean Women Think Is Important?

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea.
  • 2Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Korea.
  • 3Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea.
  • 4Department of Family Medicine, Kangwon University Hospital, Korea.
  • 5Department of Family Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Korea. jjcho@dreamwiz.com

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.

Keyword

women's health; attitude to health; health services; communication; patient education

MeSH Terms

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
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