The segregated-fee-funded University Health Services sees more visits from females than from males, and most of those appointments relate to general women’s health issues, according to the director of University Health.
UW senior Mark Ohrtman said he has never been to UHS.
“I’m just a pretty healthy kid, but if I did feel sick in any way, I would not hesitate to go to UHS,” Ohrtman said, showing some men have the mentality to only go to the doctor when ill.
The lion’s share of the women’s check-ups result from requests for birth control and testing for sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy.
Though University of Wisconsin women visit the doctor’s office more than their young male counterparts, director of clinical services at University Health Scott Spears said that does not mean men are healthier.
Women generally take better care of themselves than men do, Spears said.
Spears said women’s health issues rank on the top of the list of treatments that UHS provides annually. Birth control, STD and pregnancy tests fall under this category, and annually account for the majority of all patient visits.
This fall, however, Spears said students might make more symptom-related visits. Spears warned students to be on alert for signs of whooping cough, an ailment generally thought to be eradicated.
“There have been one or two instances of whooping cough this semester, so students should be aware of the symptoms,” Spears conceded.
Symptoms include a persistent cough, often resulting in vomiting. Students should be aware of their own health, in addition to that of their roommates and any other individuals with whom they come in close contact, as whooping cough is a highly contagious disease. However, Spears revealed there is a vaccine for the ailment.
“The vaccine itself can be worse than the disease. Nevertheless, a visit to UHS is necessary if any student is symptomatic,” Spears cautioned.
UHS also provides either medical treatment and prevention or counseling (occasionally both) services to each collegian, regardless of student health insurance, according to the UHS website. Most medical and mental services are prepaid through tuition. However, additional charges remain common, depending on the medication given. UHS does have a pharmacy offering reduced prices to students so additional fees do not break the bank.
With much of the cost of health care covered by the student tax, many students find UHS a convenience. However, some do have issues with the service.
Katie Kitchen, UW junior, has visited UHS about three times.
“Whenever I’ve gone, it has been very efficient and friendly,” she said.
Shaylana Stein, also a UW junior, agrees UHS is competent, but says it is difficult to schedule appointments between classes.
“I once had to wait three and a half weeks before I could see a doctor,” she said. “But it was a pretty routine appointment and I’m sure a lot of other students were going for the same thing.”
Students can pay compliments or file complaints through the online feedback form available through the UHS website.