Health-Seeking Behaviors of Healthcare Providers

Abstract. Health-seeking behavior among healthcare providers is essential for maintaining workforce well-being and ensuring quality care delivery, particularly in demanding caregiving environments. This study examined the health-seeking behaviors of healthcare providers in Macau SAR, focusing on demographic factors, healthcare utilization patterns, and barriers to accessing care. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to 68 healthcare providers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis to determine relationships between demographic variables and health-seeking behaviors. Findings revealed that while 88.2% of respondents consulted healthcare providers within the past six months, only 26.5% engaged in routine preventive check-ups, indicating a predominantly reactive approach to healthcare utilization. Financial constraints, work schedules, and limited time were identified as major barriers to accessing healthcare services. Mental health services were notably underutilized despite the high emotional demands of caregiving roles. Significant differences in health-seeking behaviors were observed based on age, education level, and occupation, while accessibility and professional approach were strongly correlated with satisfaction with healthcare services. The study concludes that healthcare providers demonstrate moderate health awareness but insufficient engagement in preventive healthcare practices. Institutional support mechanisms, including protected health time, workplace wellness programs, and affordable healthcare partnerships, are recommended to improve health-seeking behaviors. This research contributes to occupational health literature by highlighting organizational and demographic factors influencing healthcare utilization among healthcare providers in caregiving environments. Keywords: accessibility, healthcare providers, health-seeking behavior, occupational health, workplace wellness