My husband has not seen a physician or a dentist in almost a year. I have been gently prodding him to make an appointment, using the extensive arsenal of my interpersonal persuasion techniques, but to no avail. This morning, I happened upon an article by Dr. Jewell entitled "How to Get a Man to the Doctor for a Physical Exam" and, although I found some of her advice helpful, I felt that a number of her suggestions would be counter-productive. I'd like to get your opinion. If you are a woman, would you use any of these techniques to get a man you cared about to see a doctor? If you are a man, would any of these techniques motivate you to see a doctor?
For example, Jewell suggests showing your man graphic pictures of diseases and medical conditions in advanced stages. She claims this will motivate him to take preventative measures. Personally, I think it just might scare the pants off of him so that he might never step foot in a doctor's office again!
Next, she suggests showing him an educational video of what is involved in various diagnostic procedures, such as the digital rectal exam (DRE) which doctors perform as a screening test for prostate cancer. Many men fear this procedure, she argues, and if they could see exactly how the procedure is done, they would fear it less. I don't know about that. I am not sure that I would find a pelvic exam any less distasteful if I saw a graphic video of one being performed. Personally, I would rather forget all the pelvic exams I have ever had. That does not mean that I would stop having them as a necessary part of my regular check-ups.
Another strange suggestion Jewell has involves sending your man a reminder postcard that his medical check-up is approaching. She believes you should create these cards by hand and paste on them photographs of family members and short messages of love. I am not sure if she expects you to actually send these postcard reminders through the mail or just attach them to the refrigerator door with a magnet, but, personally, I find this idea a tad childish.
Finally, there is one last suggestion that really freaked me out. Dr. Jewell suggests that you arrange your man's doctor appointment to coincide with a fun outing with you--such as a day at the beach or a lovely lunch at a favorite restaurant. This will allow the two of you "quality time" together and help your man to relax before his check-up. Personally, I can't help thinking about this plan from the opposite side; I am not certain I would want my memories of favorite outings to be forever connected with doctor visits.
Even though I find Dr. Jewell's article somewhat unusual in its suggestions for getting a man to visit a doctor or a dentist, I appreciate the fact that she realizes that this is a problem for many of us. Men still seem to need to maintain that "macho" image and somehow, going to the doctor when they are not dying seems wimpy to many. We women love our men and want them to be around for a long time. Most of us practice regular preventative care with our own health. The question for me, and I am guessing for you, is what can we do to help our men take care of their own health with the same persistence and concern that we women take care of ours?
Do you like the suggestions in Dr. Jewell's article? Do you have any ideas of your own? How do you get your man to see the doctor? If you are a man, what motivates you to have regular medical check-ups? I'd like your input because I don't have the answers.
For example, Jewell suggests showing your man graphic pictures of diseases and medical conditions in advanced stages. She claims this will motivate him to take preventative measures. Personally, I think it just might scare the pants off of him so that he might never step foot in a doctor's office again!
Next, she suggests showing him an educational video of what is involved in various diagnostic procedures, such as the digital rectal exam (DRE) which doctors perform as a screening test for prostate cancer. Many men fear this procedure, she argues, and if they could see exactly how the procedure is done, they would fear it less. I don't know about that. I am not sure that I would find a pelvic exam any less distasteful if I saw a graphic video of one being performed. Personally, I would rather forget all the pelvic exams I have ever had. That does not mean that I would stop having them as a necessary part of my regular check-ups.
Another strange suggestion Jewell has involves sending your man a reminder postcard that his medical check-up is approaching. She believes you should create these cards by hand and paste on them photographs of family members and short messages of love. I am not sure if she expects you to actually send these postcard reminders through the mail or just attach them to the refrigerator door with a magnet, but, personally, I find this idea a tad childish.
Finally, there is one last suggestion that really freaked me out. Dr. Jewell suggests that you arrange your man's doctor appointment to coincide with a fun outing with you--such as a day at the beach or a lovely lunch at a favorite restaurant. This will allow the two of you "quality time" together and help your man to relax before his check-up. Personally, I can't help thinking about this plan from the opposite side; I am not certain I would want my memories of favorite outings to be forever connected with doctor visits.
Even though I find Dr. Jewell's article somewhat unusual in its suggestions for getting a man to visit a doctor or a dentist, I appreciate the fact that she realizes that this is a problem for many of us. Men still seem to need to maintain that "macho" image and somehow, going to the doctor when they are not dying seems wimpy to many. We women love our men and want them to be around for a long time. Most of us practice regular preventative care with our own health. The question for me, and I am guessing for you, is what can we do to help our men take care of their own health with the same persistence and concern that we women take care of ours?
Do you like the suggestions in Dr. Jewell's article? Do you have any ideas of your own? How do you get your man to see the doctor? If you are a man, what motivates you to have regular medical check-ups? I'd like your input because I don't have the answers.
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5 comments:
I'd love to know the answer to this one. Yikes. :)
I think Dr. Jewell is a little off. As a man I can say I hate doctors and dentists...I know I should get checkups but I look at the doctors visit as something that will happen when it's necessary.
I wouldn't say it's a Macho thing for me or probably most men. We know we need to check the car every so many miles but when it comes to ourselves I guess we figure if it ain't broke a doctor doesn't need to stick a finger in it.
Forget coercion and lovey-dovey and provocations of emotionality and sentiment or even the fear-mongering. [I am with your opinion on that one.]
Just threaten to cut off the favorite thing about you he adores, likes, loves, or wants etc.
6 ideas off the top of my head that seem more practical and less time consuming...
1. Sex [This one worked for me.]
2. Cooking. [Go on strike.]
3. Washing Clothes. [Go on strike.]
4. Trophy wife? [Start slummin' it.]
5. Quit shaving your legs...
6. Threaten to write a blog post calling him a weenie.
There is a time and place for friendly blackmail and this may be such a time...
Droppin' by,
Samsara
Why blackmail won't work:
1. Sex - you lose too
2. Cooking. - I can cook
3. Washing Clothes.- I can wash
4. Trophy wife?- I will wear speedos 24/7
5. Quit shaving your legs- I quit shaving my face
6. Threaten to write a blog post calling him a weenie.- I write a blog post about your best friend and her newest of many boyfriends.
Data has shown that more women do come for check up compared to men and that's why more women are diagnosed earlier. Men usually present at an advanced stage which means limited options and less chances for prevention. Maybe this could be what you can tell your husband.
I find his suggestions rather odd particularly about inviting the doctor to the picnic. I think that that is rather a turn off than a turn on except of course if the doctor is really a family friend.
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