When Tomorrow Comes Too Late-The Silent Threat: Why People Delay Needed Medical Care in Türkiye

Abstract

Background Healthcare demand procrastination is a public health concern in T & uuml;rkiye, with limited research available. This study examines the prevalence of healthcare procrastination and identifies associated factors among patients at Pamukkale University Hospital.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2 to 13 February 2023 in Denizli and involved 503 patients from 15 outpatient clinics. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare utilization and procrastination behaviors were collected via a structured questionnaire, including the Healthcare Demand Procrastination Scale (HDPS). Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used for analysis.Results The participants had a mean age of 41.46 years (+/- 15.34), with 52.9% being female. A significant 77.3% reported delaying healthcare despite needing it. The primary reasons for delays were difficulty in getting appointments (51.5%), long waiting times (21.9%) and COVID-19 concerns (19.9%). The mean HDPS score was 2.29 +/- 0.65, indicating moderate procrastination. Regression analysis revealed that younger age (<= 35 years) and rural residence significantly predicted higher HDPS scores, whereas receiving health information from professionals was linked to lower procrastination.Conclusions Healthcare procrastination is common among patients in T & uuml;rkiye, particularly among younger individuals and rural residents. Improving healthcare accessibility, reducing wait times and implementing targeted interventions are essential to mitigate this issue and enhance health outcomes.