The lived experience of accessing health services as an elderly rural individual
Abstract
Rural communities are identified as health disparity areas due to a significant
discrepancy in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and
survival rates in the rural population, as compared to the health status of the general
population (National Public Health Week, 2004). This disparity is attributed to decreased
access to health services experienced by rural residents, exemplified by decreased
availability of health professionals (Wielandt & Taylor, 2010), limited proximity to primary
care and specialty services (Baldwin et al., 2008; Wong & Regan, 2009), and challenges
in receiving cancer screening and mental health services (Bettencourt, Schlegel, Talley,
& Molix, 2007). Health disparities have an even greater impact on the elderly population
due to a reduced physiologic reserve and increased susceptibility to illness and disability
(Hinck, 2004). Much research has been done to identify these disparities with methods
to rectify them, but little research has been conducted with the aim of understanding how
the rural elderly view their experiences accessing health services.
The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to gain
understanding of the experiences of rural elderly individuals in accessing health
services. Information gained clarified their needs regarding access to health services
with the ultimate goal of helping to rectify health disparities for the rural elderly.
The study was conducted via in-depth, personal interviews. Nine participants
over the age of 65 living in rural Wisconsin, and accessing rural health services for at
least 10 years, were recruited through purposive sampling. With the researcher as the
instrument, participants were asked open-ended questions in an attempt to capture their
lived experience of accessing rural health services. Probe questions were used to
further explore individual experiences when necessary. Colaizzi's method was used to analyze the data, categorizing common statements and developing themes to connect
the data. Sampling ended once data saturation was reached.
Three themes emerged during data analysis: (a) 50 first dates, (b) on the road
again, and (c) making the most of what you have. The theme 50 first dates signified
struggles faced by rural elders in maintaining continuity with their healthcare providers
due to the short tenure and rapid turnover of healthcare providers in rural settings. On
the road again exemplified the limited proximity of specialty services and the long
commutes necessary to achieve access to such services. Making the most of what you
have demonstrated the overwhelming sense of appreciation expressed by rural elders
for the health services available to them, demonstrating resilience and a general feeling
that access to health services is by no means limited by where they reside.
Subject
Health services accessibility
Old age assistance
Services for older people
Aging
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/53386Description
A Clinical paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner.