Risk perceptions and risk-averse attitude influenced older patients' first-diagnosis-seeking behaviour at tertiary hospitals.

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative study aimed to investigate the associations of older patients' inappropriate healthcare-seeking behaviour at tertiary hospitals in China with their risk perceptions and attitude.

METHODS

The study was based on nine focus group interviews (involving 41 older patients, with three to six per group) and involved the grounded theory method. The participants were recruited at tertiary hospitals.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that older patients' inappropriate first-diagnosis-seeking behaviour at tertiary hospitals was impacted by their risk perceptions and risk-averse attitude. Both external factors (family/friends and the Internet) and internal factors (preferences and habits) had played important roles in related processes.

CONCLUSION

Thus, to guide older patients' healthcare-seeking behaviour, changing the thoughts and behaviour of the older patients themselves, their spouses, adult children, other relatives, and friends are all important. More attention should be paid on guiding appropriate risk perceptions and attitude regarding lower-level medical institutions, increasing their preferences and habit formation regarding lower-level medical institutions, enhancing older patients' social support and improving and standardising online health information. These are important for the future development of the hierarchical medical system in China.