Keep Mr Happy Healthy PDF Print E-mail
Written by Derek Roelofsen   
Friday, 20 February 2009 14:49
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Guys don’t like going to the doctor.  Men will wait until it’s absolutely necessary before seeking any kind of health care service.  That’s the opinion one often hears when talking about men and the health care system.  It is a commonly held belief that the male gender has an aversion to the proverbial doctor’s office, even more so when we are talking about male youth.  But the question is why?  What is it about guys that have turned them off seeking health care?

Is there something innate in the male psyche that makes them say “Me?  Go to the doctor?  Never!  Not in a million years!  There’s nothing wrong with me!”  One young woman described it as a guy’s need to “man it out”, in other words tough it out and take it like man.  Guys are socialized in such a way that they often don’t feel comfortable talking about their health issues or doing anything that may make them vulnerable emotionally or physically. 

Or is it something imbedded in our health system that has caused men to reject, even on a subconscious level, the idea of accessing health services?  Previous research has shown that in fact our health system is not very male-friendly.  

So, what do we need to change to make things more comfortable for guys?     



These are some of the issues and questions we are trying to address in a study being conducted out of Evergreen Community Health Centre in Vancouver.  The basic goal: to make health services more accessible to the young guys in our community.  One of the services provided at Evergreen is a clinic for youth ages 14-25 years.  The clinic is open twice a week and focuses mainly on sexual health issues (i.e. birth control, testing for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy testing, etc), as well as mental health and other general health concerns.  There are similar clinics all over the Greater Vancouver area.  All of the clinics have run into the same stubborn question:  where are all the guys?!  So, a group of nurses, academics and other health professionals got together and initiated this research.  We have been out talking to guys, girls, and our own colleagues trying to find out what needs to change at youth clinic.  In addition to getting opinions from various youth in the community, we have implemented two major interventions: a promotional campaign and a ‘Guys Nite’ at youth clinic.

“Keep Mr Happy Healthy: It’s as easy as 1-2-pee”.  That’s our campaign slogan.  We want to spread the word among young guys the importance of getting a sexual health check-up. And not only that it’s important but that the check-up is painless… all they really need to do is pee in a cup!

Guys Nite is a special event happening once a month January-April at Evergreen Youth Clinic.   It is an opportunity for guys to come in to youth clinic to get checked up, get information, or just hang out in an environment that is male-friendly.

The hope is that we can contribute to helping change the status quo, that the male youth in our community will feel that much more comfortable seeking out health care when they need it.  Because really… all you need to do is pee in a cup!

For more information check out our website  www.12pee.ca

*****

Derek Roelofsen is a Registered Nurse currently working in public health with children and youth in Vancouver, BC.  He is actively involved in a number of aspects of young men’s health including education, research and program development.
Last Updated on Friday, 20 February 2009 16:15
 
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robertvitulano   |Author |2009-03-06 04:42:31
avatar Definitely a serious issue to discuss. But I think it becomes even more problematic when notions of sexuality become involved. Gay men fear stigmatization of an AIDS association, and may not get tested. That being said, it is also another issue when it is assumed that you need HIV testing. A precarious line of normative projections on queer sexuality can make a visit to the doctor's office even more uncomfortable. Nor does this approach account for instances of men on the downlow, bisexuals, and MSM.
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danlevy  - "I'll take care of it"   |Author |2009-02-27 06:40:12
Great post. I must admit that I don't like going to the doctor either. But I don't think it's a matter of not wanting to feel vulnerable as much as it is a desire-- or perhaps a need-- to take care of myself. I don't mind going for fillings, getting a message or even the occasional check up. When I clearly need to go to the doctor I'm more than happy to lie back and let the experts go to town on my body. It's when something seemingly petty occurs--say, a sudden rash or minor tooth ache-- that I'll avoid seeing the doctor until my girlfriend drags me there. I think many of us guys have the attitude that we're supposed to live with a little pain, that it's something we should just deal with on our own. It probably has something to do with the pressure we put on ourselves to be strong, to be the to-guy emotionally and financially.
It would be interesting to visit a health clinic geared toward men. I wonder what that would look like...?
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derekroelofsen  - a mens clinic...   |Author |2009-03-04 10:47:42
thanks for the comments dan. you're spot on in talking about how guys are expected to 'live with the pain', to be 'strong', the 'to-guy emotionally and financially'.
what i wanted to pick up on though is the idea of a mens clinic - what would that look like? i would love input n that question because it is something we are looking at doing here... starting a mens centre (it would provide services beyond just a health clinic... moving toward a community rec centre idea).
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paul baines  - age   |99.233.133.xxx |2009-02-24 04:13:25
i think it would be great if younger guys could hear stories from their fathers and grandfathers about this.
i've seen older men more interested in taking care of themselves and more able to admit to themselves and doctors that they might need some help. yes, i think vulnerability is the big thing here. i think it's wonderful to link health services with gender questions - thanks derek.
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Lindsay Reid  - Stand up to pee   |174.6.86.xxx |2009-02-20 19:13:29
Wow, Derek, thanks a lot for this post! It's great to know that there is something being done about the lack of men deciding to take more care of themselves. The doctor can be a scary place to be, especially when you're sitting there with your pants off listening to someone with pants on telling you whats wrong with you. The vulnerablity of a man being told what is wrong with him is only amplified with his pants around his ankles. The simplicity of peeing in a cup makes the clinic seem a lot less frightening. A lot of men still believe things will be shoved up certain holes to test for a mans sexual health, and that is most definetely an intimidating scenario to face. It's good to know that the comfort level is being addressed in regards to men and them taking better care of themselves. Insecurity is one thing, but neglect is another. Where do you stand(when you pee)?
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