When tomorrow comes too late—the silent threat: why people delay needed medical care in Türkiye

Abstract

Background Healthcare demand procrastination is a public health concern in Türkiye, with limited research available. This study examines the prevalence of healthcare procrastination and identifies associated factors among patients at Pamukkale University Hospital. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2 to 13 February 2023 in Denizli and involved 503 patients from 15 outpatient clinics. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare utilization and procrastination behaviors were collected via a structured questionnaire, including the Healthcare Demand Procrastination Scale (HDPS). Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used for analysis. Results The participants had a mean age of 41.46 years (±15.34), with 52.9% being female. A significant 77.3% reported delaying healthcare despite needing it. The primary reasons for delays were difficulty in getting appointments (51.5%), long waiting times (21.9%) and COVID-19 concerns (19.9%). The mean HDPS score was 2.29 ± 0.65, indicating moderate procrastination. Regression analysis revealed that younger age (≤35 years) and rural residence significantly predicted higher HDPS scores, whereas receiving health information from professionals was linked to lower procrastination. Conclusions Healthcare procrastination is common among patients in Türkiye, particularly among younger individuals and rural residents. Improving healthcare accessibility, reducing wait times and implementing targeted interventions are essential to mitigate this issue and enhance health outcomes.