Healthcare is top of the list of many European’s concerns, new research has found.
The vast majority of females (95 per cent), and most males (89 per cent) expressed interest in health issues in a recent survey by the market research firm TNS Healthcare.
The survey polled 2,500 individuals and 500 doctors in the five major European healthcare markets – the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain. People over 55 years of age were more interested in health than those aged 18 to 24 years (55 per cent versus 44 per cent).
Findings highlighted many similarities in health views across Europe. Support for over-the-counter drugs and respect for pharmacists were consistently high.
Most people in all of the polled countries state that they "only go to the doctor when necessary" and believe that they know "when to visit a doctor and when to self-medicate". However, this view is not shared by all doctors.
In Britain some 64 per cent of people said they would rather buy a medicine than visit a doctor. Just 18 per cent doctors agree that patients should do this.
Ginny Rose of TNS Healthcare UK says: "Interestingly, doctors think differently about how well consumers judge whether to visit a physician or treat themselves.
"For example, while 81 per cent of consumers in the UK agree with the statement that they know when to go to the doctor and when to self-medicate, more than 50 per cent of doctors disagree."
Researcher Louise Tamblin adds: "The study indicates that, in all countries, most people take health for granted while they are young, particularly if they have no health issues. Those who do suffer from any medical condition – even if it’s minor – become significantly more interested in health than those who do not."
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