Private MD News

Self-affirmation increases patients willingness to be tested

Category: Blood and Blood Diseases

Many people avoid blood tests for conditions like HIV and cancer because they are afraid of being diagnosed with a disease that may require extensive treatments or one that is life-threatening. However, the sooner most conditions are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

A team of researchers from the University of Florida recently found that asking patients to participants in self-affirming activities increases their receptiveness to receiving a blood test for a potentially serious health problem.

For the study, the researchers asked participants to write about a trait they value in themselves or in a friend. Individuals then watched a video about a fictional disease and were then asked if they would want to be tested to see if they have it.

Results showed that those who wrote about themselves were more likely to want to be tested than those who wrote about a friend.

The researchers acknowledged that being diagnosed with a serious health problem can be devastating and is something most people want to avoid. But early diagnosis can help individuals get their business in order and deal with the condition more effectively than through avoidance.