Do invitations to attend Well Man Checks result in increased male health screening in primary health care?

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Male health outcomes lag behind those of women in many areas. Male utilisation of primary health care and uptake of preventative health care is relatively lower. Our question was: will inviting males who have not received recent health screening nor attended the practice frequently result in a higher rate of male health checks? ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEM: An auditable uniform classification ‘Well Man Check’ was established and education sessions on the importance of increasing male health care were held for all clinical staff. Recording of Well Man Check was audited for time periods prior to and after mailing out invitations to attend a Well Man Check. Thirty cases were reviewed to see if previously unrecognised health risks or symptomatic problems were detected. RESULTS: Bottom line: inviting males to attend for a Well Man Check almost triples the number of recorded Well Man Checks, and does not reduce the number of opportunistic Well Man Checks carried out. A range of problems and health risks requiring intervention or follow-up were detected. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT: Further mail-outs to wider age ranges and ongoing discussion of results to stimulate ongoing interest amongst clinical staff is planned. LESSONS: Mail-out invitations do increase recorded Well Man Checks both within the age group mailed to, and also for males outside that age group. KEYWORDS: Male health; Well Man Check; primary health care