Australian men need the 'right doctors'

Researchers from the University of Adelaide say regardless of the preconceived stereotype surrounding men and their health, Australian men are interested in talking about their health with the 'right people' and most men do not like the way that many doctors work.

The researchers from the University's Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health say Australian men have been inaccurately portrayed as disinterested in their health and according to researcher Professor Gary Wittert as a result of this misconception the real issues concerning Australian men's health have been trivialised and not addressed.

Professor Wittert says in the right environment men are happy to talk about their health but the approach that works with women does not work with men.

The research has revealed that men value competence, humour, empathy and a direct approach when it comes to consulting a general practitioner and Professor Wittert says these qualities provide a useful starting point for ensuring that health service providers are equipped to engage men effectively.

The research was conducted as part of the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study and involved 36 white Australian men from the North West Adelaide region - the study shows that when it comes to health men are not doing as well as women but the reasons are not as simplistic as have been suggested in the media.

The researchers say it is not a matter of men 'behaving badly' but responding to a different approach and men need a GP who is direct and straight forward in their diagnosis rather than adopting a consultative manner.

Professor Wittert says it has also been revealed that men tend to self-monitor their health first which possibly explains why they often take longer to seek medical advice than women.

Men apparently value and respect GPs who recognise their professional limitations and are willing to refer them on to another health professional if necessary.

Professor Wittert says the findings could help inform the Federal Government's current men's health policy.

Researcher PhD student James Smith says it is important governments understand that men accessing health services require a different approach than women, in terms of policy formulation and in terms of the implications for practise and funding.

Mr Smith says the issue is about training and making sure that GPs have the capacity to engage well with male patients.

The research is published in the current issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.