21% of people surveyed in the UK delayed visiting their doctor due to embarrassment and were later diagnosed with a health condition.
People delay seeking medical help due to embarrassment because they feel self-conscious, uncomfortable, or fear being judged. This can lead to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, causing them to suffer in silence.
Doctors use techniques such as transparency, assuring confidentiality, creating a non-judgmental space, and employing non-verbal cues like facial expressions, hand gestures, and tone of voice to make patients feel calm and relaxed.
Delaying medical visits due to embarrassment can lead to late diagnoses, missed opportunities for early intervention, and prolonged suffering. This can worsen health conditions and reduce the effectiveness of treatments.
To 'suffer in silence' means enduring pain or discomfort without seeking help or sharing the problem with others, often due to feelings of embarrassment or fear of judgment.
What are the consequences of medical embarrassment?
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