A poll of more than 2,000 adults found embarrassing illnesses, lack of personal service, fear of physical examinations and the belief that pertinent information could be found on the Web influenced people to stay away from doctors.

But a leading doctor strongly emphasised the dangers of seeking diagnosis and treatment over the internet and said that doctors were there to do their best for patients, not to make judgments about them.

The embarrassing nature of an illness was cited as the most significant factor causing sufferers to steer clear of surgeries.

Research published today found 48 per cent of respondents said an embarrassing illness would make them think twice about visiting the doctor.

Medical problems which relate to sexually transmitted diseases are the most commonly evaded topics.

Four in 10 of those surveyed (41 per cent) would be reluctant to discuss such an ailment with their practitioner and a third (35 per cent) would also be unwilling to discuss anything associated with their bowels.

The thought of a physical examination kept 44 per cent of respondents away, according to the survey which was commissioned by UKTV Style to mark the start of the series Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses.

In extreme cases, six per cent of Britons sought treatment overseas.

A decline in personal service was also cited as a reason for a rise in self-medication.

Less than a third of those polled saw the same doctor at the clinic while the remainder experienced treatment from several doctors.

More than a quarter (26 per cent) could not name their doctor.

The rise of the internet has had a profound effect on self-diagnosis, researchers claimed, with 38 per cent of respondents saying they made a self-diagnosis using it.

More than one in 10 (12 per cent) had bought medication over the internet and 13 per cent have opted for diagnosis by a medical professional through the web without a physical examination.

Reacting to the findings, Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs committee, warned of internet consultations: "The person on one end may not be a patient and the person on the other end may not be a doctor. That's very dangerous."

Dr Buckman said it was up to doctors to make sure consultations were as lacking in embarrassment as they could be.

"Doctors are not there to judge patients. I am there to do my best for you, not to judge you."

He said that patients could make it clear they wanted to see the same doctor again. "Receptionists are sensitive to patients' needs," he said.

The doctor said a sexually transmitted infection should never be left untreated. "If you don't want to see your GP you can always go to an STI clinic."

A spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society also said it was important that proper medical advice was sought as sexual health conditions could lead to other problems.

Amanda Hamilton, presenter of the TV show said: "A supportive GP who has time to listen to patient queries still has a vital role to play."

Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses goes out on UKTV Style on weekdays at 10pm from today.