Doctoring New Zealand's gay men.

AIMS

To investigate gay men's experiences of using general practitioner (GP) services.

METHODS

A qualitative research methodology was used and transcripts obtained from 11 focus groups conducted in two large New Zealand cities were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

The key result is concerned with how men attempt to access high quality GP services. Participants reported two main ways they achieve this. The first is through selection of a doctor; the second is through controlling disclosure of their sexuality to the doctor. We also report participants' positive and negative experiences of primary healthcare.

CONCLUSION

While many men reported good healthcare experiences, others did not. To optimise quality of care, gay men carefully managed their relationship with their doctors. Doctors play a crucial role in facilitating an environment to allow disclosure. While a minority of men have disclosed sexuality and sexual behaviours to their doctors, most men have not--arguably to the detriment of their healthcare. We argue that doctors need to be cognisant of the health needs of gay men to provide high quality care, and we conclude that medical practitioners and associations and gay men need to jointly address these issues.