Men's self-assessed personal health resources: approaching patients' strong points in general practice

To explore resource-oriented, gender-sensitive approaches in general practice by identifying what men perceive to be their personal health resources.

A key question was developed to invite men to tell their GPs about personal health resources during ordinary visits. The answers of 39 consecutive male patients (aged 19-84 years) visiting two female GPs were audio taped and analysed, qualitatively inspired by Giorgi's phenomenological approach, supported by theories on salutogenesis, patient-centredness and gender perspectives. The main outcome measures were personal qualities and strategies considered by men to be their health resources.

Men considered that the following were personal health resources: optimism, good self-esteem, job satisfaction, ability to cope with stress at work, leisure activities and relaxation with friends producing energy, and fitness and lifestyle activities.

A key question can give a doctor access to men's thoughts about their strong points. Self-assessed personal health resources can be identified and mobilized by the GP and support a salutogenic approach, which contrasts with the tendency of contemporary medical practice to focus on risk. Asking people about their own ideas may reveal that coping patterns are more complex than reflected in prevailing research.