Health seeking behaviour: Doctor shopping

Abstract

Traditionally, doctor shopping involves patients seeking to be seen by multiple doctors for the same or similar symptoms. Having a family doctor is widely acknowledged as beneficial to the well-being of individuals. A patient’s decision to consult a doctor depends on numerous reasons. However, doctor shopping is a common treatment seeking behaviour internationally, particularly among those who suffer from chronic conditions or major illnesses. The risks of potential adverse reactions due to polypharmacy and loss of continuity of care would be increased. Common factors contributing to doctor shopping include attitude towards doctors’ personal qualities, doctor’s attitudes, consultation fees, location of clinics, waiting time, persistence of symptoms, etc. Efforts should be made to improve the situation with enhanced quality doctor-patient relationship, to allow patients to receive continuous, coordinated, comprehensive and patient-centred support from their primary care providers. This chapter aims to review the current literature of doctor shopping in the international context with reference to seeking multiple doctors for treatment and polypharmacy. It also attempts to address the new dimension of doctor shopping from the current trend of using digital health or ‘Internet+health care’ for consultation and prescription. Ways to shape the doctor shopping behaviours are reviewed from both the demand and supply sides of the doctor-patient relationship in an attempt to alleviate this behaviour.