Expectations about check-up examinations among Swiss residents: A nationwide population-based cross-sectional survey

General health check-up examinations in asymptomatic adults have not been shown to be beneficial. Instead, opportunistic prevention during regular primary care consultations is most cost-effective and recommended. The study aimed to elucidate the expectations about check-ups of the general Swiss population.

A nationwide cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in a representative sample of the population, stratified by sex, age, and language in November 2019.

Data of 1077 respondents were analysed. Mean age was 45 years (range 18 to 89), and 51% were female. Overall, 40% of respondents expected to have check-up examinations (yearly: 41.6%), and 42% expected opportunistic prevention. Most expected check-up interventions were sex-specific such as mammography (89% of women), Pap smear test (89% of women), and blood test of prostate-specific antigen (81% of men). The least favoured ones related to counselling (tobacco: 27%; alcohol abuse: 29%). Most significant predictors of positive check-up expectations were being male (OR = 1.45, CI: 1.02-2.05 P = 0.04)), age between 45 and 59 years old (OR = 2.03, CI: 1.27-3.23, P = 0.003 vs. 18 to 29 years), having a degree from professional (OR = 1.73, 95% CIs: 1.11-2.69, P 0.015) or, middle school (OR = 1.99, 95% CIs:1.04-3.78, P = 0.037) or university (OR = 1.66, 95% CIs: 1.06-2.61, P< 0.001, vs. secondary school) and the more importance attributed to regularly checking one's health (OR = 2.12, 95% CIs: 1.70-2.36, P < 0.001).

Almost half of the population expected to have mostly yearly check-up examinations in addition to regular care, which is in contradiction to recommendations. This behaviour impacts the rational use of health care resources and must be considered by physicians and given the active role of patients in the health care system.