| Learning Objective #1: Identify four dimensions of health common to rural elders in the United States | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe the Patterns of Health Model for Rural Elders |
Objectives: To analyze dimensions of the health concept, challenges to remaining healthy, and health care outcomes for two populations of rural elders; to develop a preliminary explanatory model for these phenomena; and to compare the model to other rural frameworks.
Design: Two critical ethnographies were compared for conceptual clarity about health, health challenges, and health care outcomes. An exploratory, descriptive design was used to compare results, yielding an explanatory model.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years: One sample (1997) consisted of 23 Hispanic elders in Colorado. Another sample (2001)consisted of 22 Hispanic and non-Hispanic rural elders in New Mexico.
Concepts Studied: Both studies explored the rural elders' definitons of health, perceived health care issues or challenges, and perceptions of their health care experiences within the contexts of history, culture, politics, socioeconomics, and rurality.
Methods: The current study applied narrative analysis of textual data from the previous investigations, as well as hermeneutic analysis of existing frameworks.
Findings: Health dimensions were maintaining an active daily routine, spiritual/religious activities, autonomy, and avoidance of contact with health providers. Sociocultural variations existed for home remedies and family support. Common challenges involved inadequate access to care providers; overpriced prescriptions; and socioeconomic marginalization. Health care outcomes included inadequate care access, irregular medication regimens, high acuity once ill, ethnic tensions, and fragmented services.
Conclusions: A preliminary explanatory framework called the Patterns of Health Model for Rural Elders supported earlier theoretical modeling. However, differences emerged in this study between groups of Hispanic elders/elders of any ethnic background living near the U.S.-Mexican border, and non-Hispanic elders of other regions.
Implications: Nurses need knowledge regarding sociocultural and historical contexts of a growing population of rural elders. Identifying, analyzing, and resolving health care challenges for this population will require partnerships involving health care providers, community planners, health care managers, and rural elderly community members.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003