Some farmers would rather go to a vet than a GP for medical advice, a recent study has found.
The findings come from a study of agricultural workers in North Yorkshire by the organisation Healthwatch which investigated the key health and wellbeing issues affecting the farming community,
The study interviewed over 220 people in a bid to understand the barriers to personal health in the agriculture community in North Yorkshire.
79% of land in the county is used for agriculture, making it one of the most rural in England.
Healthwatch found that farmers do not attend their local GP due to: time constraints; financial concerns; difficulties arranging and attending appointments; access issues in rural areas; and concerns over gun licences being revoked.
The study also highlighted that many farmers have limited health knowledge, a lack of awareness about available services, fear and anxiety about using services, and are off put by the stigma around seeking help
The study highlighted that despite the essential role of farmers, the farming community faces unique challenges that puts them at greater risk of physical and mental health issues.
When speaking about time constraints, the study referred to one participant who said: “We have animals to look after. They don’t stop needing us because we have an injury or a health problem.
“We still have to feed and look after them, so we don’t have time for anything else. If they are giving birth or something, we can’t just stop – ‘oh, my leg hurts, sorry’. They need us all the time.”
According to the organisation, another participant when talking about financial concerns said: “Farming is like a lot of businesses where you constantly have cost pressures, which lead to not employing people and the owners working massively long hours.”
The study also refered to a particpant who told them of a neighbour who put off a heart operation in order to save money during the busy season, but passed away while in the tractor cab.
The report quoted one participant on the matter of stigma, saying: “I have avoided the doctors because of the stigma of going to the doctors, I always say ‘I’m fine’, ‘it doesn’t matter’, ‘my dad never went to the doctors so why would I?’”
Solutions
Farmers told the organisation that making health checks more accessible would entice them to get checked up.
Recommended services were mobile health units, check ups at marts and co-ops, and farmer walk-in clinics at GPs.
Vets
The study found that many farmers would rather speak to a vet for medical advice, stating that they are a familiar and friendly face.
Farmers build up a trustworthy relationship with vets over the years and perceive them as knowledgeable and approachable.
The farmers told the organisation how they feel more comfortable talking about health concerns with the vet because they are already at their farm.
