Aviator Healthcare Hesitance: An Examination of Healthcare Avoidance, Pilot Mistrust, Presenteeism, & Risk

Safe aviation operations require pilots to maintain constant physical and psychological well-being. While the FAA and pilot advocacy organizations encourage aviators to discuss health concerns with their medical providers, studies demonstrate continued healthcare hesitance behaviors. This article explores possible factors impacting aviator healthcare hesitancy, including pilot personalities, financial considerations, and pilot mistrust. After providing a background of these areas, the article turns to research into the impact of presenteeism within the community, along with its associated personal and operational safety risks. Ultimately, this article seeks to prompt and aid future research by providing an overview of the current literature on the prevalence and implications of healthcare hesitance in the aviation community.