Identify and define three of the five stages of delay in the stages of delay model of seeking medical care. Provide a concrete example of each. Finally, identify two influences on the length of delay at one or more of the stages.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Three of the five stages should be defined and illustrated with an example. Responses should be similar to these:
(1) Appraisal Delay
• Definition: The interval between the detection of a symptom and the realization that it may signal illness.
• Example: Jose notices a lump under his armpit. Two days later, he decides that a hair follicle may have become infected.
(2) Illness Delay
• Definition: The time between the acknowledgement of illness and the decision that help from a professional is required
• Example: Arden is pretty sure she has the flu. She sees how things go for most of the next day before deciding that she had better call her doctor.
(3) Behavioral Delay
• Definition: The interval between deciding that medical care is required and scheduling an appointment
• Example: After falling off his icy steps, Matt fears he has cracked a rib and that he needs an X-ray. A quarter-hour later, he makes an appointment.
(4) Scheduling Delay
• Definition: The amount of time between scheduling the appointment and actually going to the appointment
• Example: Janet schedules the next available appointment with a medical professional. The appointment is in the 2 days--the day after tomorrow.
5) Treatment Delay
• Definition: The interval between receiving medical recommendations and actually receiving treatment
• Example: LaRon receives a prescription for opioids to relieve severe back pain. He waits several days before filling it because he really doesn’t want to take narcotic medication.
Two factors that shorten delays in the model’s early stages are the presence of pain and the ease with which negative consequences of illness may be imagined.