Why People Seek Diagnostic X-Rays

Abstract

In planning community X-ray programs, it is useful to know why some people appear for screening and others stay away.A psychological study suggests three apparently significant factors in the public atti- tude toward chest X-rays.Why People Seek Diagnostic X-Rays By GODFREY M. HOCHBAUM, Ph.D.M ANY well-organized, efficiently handled, and very successful community X-ray programs have beent conducted throughout the United States.Yet, even in the most effective ones, various segments of the population have failed to obtain X-rays.There is evidence that these segments include groups in which tuber- culosis is highly prevalent.It is hoped that better knowledge of factors which determine whether or not people obtain chest X-rays will help in planning more effec- tive programs, especially for those unresponsive population groups.With this in mind, the National Tuberculosis Association and the Pub- lic Health Service jointly sponsored a study to identify some of these factors.For this study, intensive personal interviews were held with 450 persons in Boston, 450 in