Seeking medical services among rural empty-nest elderly in China: a qualitative study

Seeking medical services among rural empty-nest elderly in China: a qualitative study

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Abstract Background The number of empty-nest elderly in China is rapidly increasing.Empty-nest elderly could not receive adequate daily care, economic support and spiritual consolation from their children.Rural empty-nest elderly are facing more serious health challenges than those in urban areas.Objective This study aimed to understand the experiences of rural empty-nest elderly in seeking medical services in China.Methods The method Energy Drink of inductive content analysis was used to collect and analyze data.

Data were collected by in-depth interviews.A total number of 16 participants were involved in this study.A semi-structured interview guideline, which was discussed in depth and agreed upon by all researchers, was used to encourage participants to talk about their experiences in seeking medical services.Results Rural empty-nest elderly is facing a great challenge in seeking medical services in China.There are VITAMIN B12 CYANOCOBALAMIN 1000MCG some barriers for rural nest elderly to get access to healthcare services, such as low-income status, high expenditure of medical treatment and inadequate health insurance coverage.

Due to the absence of the companionship of their adult children, empty-nest elderly have to rely on their neighbors and relatives to seek medical services.Conclusions Rural empty-nest elderly have great difficulty in seeking medical services in China.More efforts should be made to get medical services more accessible to rural empty-nest elderly.