Hierarchy of the main factors predicting the decision to go to the doctor in a general population sample: A factorial survey design.

Objective: To obtain a hierarchy of the main factors that predict the decision to go to the doctor when symptoms are not yet linked to a specific disease.

Method: 64 representative vignettes, combinations of nine factors, were presented to 168 adults between 28-60 years of age.

Results: Multilevel multiple regression models were used to rank the main factors predicting urgency to see a doctor in order of importance: the interference of symptoms in daily activities (B = -1.