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. 2010 Oct;55(5):459-68.
doi: 10.1007/s00038-010-0149-0. Epub 2010 May 14.

The impact of the intensity of fear on patient's delay regarding health care seeking behavior: a systematic review

Tatiana Dubayova  1 , Jitse P van Dijk, Iveta Nagyova, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Eva Havlikova, Zuzana Gdovinova, Berrie Middel, Johan W Groothoff
Affiliations

The impact of the intensity of fear on patient's delay regarding health care seeking behavior: a systematic review

Tatiana Dubayova et al. Int J Public Health. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: This systematic review focuses on the role of the intensity of fear in patient's delay in cancer and in myocardial infarction.

Methods: In a search of literature published between 1990 and June 2009, 161 articles were found. After the use of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 articles in cancer and 4 articles in myocardial infarction remained.

Results: High levels of fear are associated with earlier help-seeking in both diseases; for low levels of fear, the picture is unclear.

Conclusion: The level of fear is an important factor, which should be taken into account when facilitating help-seeking by patients.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of the selection process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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