FAQ: Teaching your Registrar about Men’s Health

• • Overweight or obese; 1/4 older boys, 2/3 adult males
• • Sufficient physical activity in men ≥ 65y; 25%
• • Sufficient fruit and vegetable intake; 5%
• • 4 out of 5 heroin overdose deaths occur in males
• • 93% workplace deaths are in males (56% of the workforce)
• • Convicted for acts of violence, 90% male
  • · Victims of violence, 80% male
• • Documented behavioural problems in schools, 90% male.
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• • In every age group (including infancy) male deaths > female
• • In 1900, average life expectancy males 55y, female 58y
• •  <14y M:F Death from accidental injury 2:1
• •  15–24y M:F MVA 3:1, suicide 3:1, all-cause 3.6:1
• • 25–65y M:F CAD 4:1, accidents 4:1, suicide 3:1, cancer 2:1, all-cause 2:1

*** Murtagh’s General Practice, 8th edition (2022). Ch 102 Male Health

• • Ask health screening questions and discuss preventative health measures 
• • Raise sexual and mental health concerns

• • Use their language – men have a wide variety in health literacy, sometimes unexpectedly
• • Assessing the patient’s literacy goes a long way in how you engage with each person and what type of health language you use  

It is common that those with a lower health literacy have bigger health problems (lower socio-economic)

Yes!

• • This can increase men’s engagement in their own health and therefore their relationship with their GP 
• • Understanding the individual and what their interests are (i.e. footy team, occupation etc ) can enhance future engagement 
• • Revealing your own interests (within reason – e.g. your footy team) can also enhance a patient-doctor relationship

• • When appropriate, simplify messages and instructions:
  • · Information overload can be a major problem especially with complex medical issues  
  • · A simple approach can mean the difference between a patient engaging and disengaging
  • · Clear-cut simplified written instructions can be helpful  
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These can be summarised by the 5 A’s approach****

• 1) Ask about risk factors or early signs of major health problems.
• 2) Assess the level of risk and diagnose as early as possible.
• 3) Advise and motivate patients to lower their risk. 
• 4) Assist patients with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies.
• 5) Arrange referral and follow-up. 

**** Harris M, McKenzie S, Men’s Health: What’s a GP to do? Med J Australia 2006; 185 (8): 440-444