Lay Beliefs About Health And Illness

Question 1

What is the symptom/illness iceberg?

Answer 1

It is an analogy used to describe the fact that most symptoms experienced never get to a doctor (about 12% do)

Question 2

What is the lay referral system?

Answer 2

The chain of advice-seeking contact which the sick would make with other lay people prior to (or instead of) seeking help from health care professionals

Question 3

Why is lay referral important?

Answer 3

• it can be a reason why people might have delayed in seeking help
• it determines how, why and when people consult a doctor
• it effects your role as a doctor in their health
• it effects how they use health services and medication
• it can be the reason for using alternative to medicines