Balearic Islands: 26% avoid in-person doctor visits

Mallorca, in Spain’s Balearic Islands, is part of a region-wide pattern: around 26% of people across the islands have avoided seeing a doctor in person over the past year. Only the Canary Islands recorded a higher share, at 31.9%. Murcia matched the Balearics.

The figures come from a health and lifestyle study by insurer Aegon, based on interviews with 1,600 adults across Spain. Nationwide, 20.2% said they had avoided an in-person visit, down from 54.3% in 2021.

Why people stayed away

Pressure on health services was the most commonly cited reason for avoiding a visit, named by 44.7% of respondents. Another 26.7% cited using a remote consultation instead. Medical advice accounted for 9.2%, while 8% cited fear of catching a virus or another illness.

Age made a difference across Spain. The share avoiding in-person visits was 26.2% among 18- to 25-year-olds and 26.5% among 26- to 40-year-olds, compared with 13% among people over 65.

Remote care remains in use

Across Spain, 27.1% still use remote medical consultations. Primary care is the most common setting for them, followed by specialist appointments.

The study also found reservations about artificial intelligence in healthcare. Some 30.9% said they would feel uncomfortable with an AI tool making an initial assessment of their physical symptoms. For mental health concerns, the share rose to 37.2%.

Topics: Social affairs · Health · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com