Journal article
A Qualitative Exploration of Rural Older Adults' Experiences With Pain From Chronic Illnesses and Its Treatment
Research on aging, Vol.46(9-10), pp.468-479
10/01/2024
DOI: 10.1177/01640275241246279
PMID: 38613140
Abstract
Pain is one of the most common concerns among chronically ill older adults. However, access to pain management is not equitable among certain populations, including rural residents. This qualitative study explored rural older adults' experiences with pain and its treatment. Eighteen participants were recruited from rural counties of Alabama, who were age 60+, cognitively intact, community-dwelling, had one or more chronic/serious illnesses, and experienced pain. Open-ended questions were asked in individual interviews, and inductive, thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings revealed the impact of pain (physical limitations, psychological distress, and coping strategies), the impact of COVID-19 (physical/mental health and pain management), challenges in pain management in rural areas (lack of provider and healthcare resources, transportation-related issues, mistrust, and limited insurance coverage) and suggestions to address these challenges. Program and policy-level interventions are crucial in improving the resources and education/training needed for effective pain management for rural older adults.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Qualitative Exploration of Rural Older Adults' Experiences With Pain From Chronic Illnesses and Its Treatment
- Creators
- Hyunjin Noh - University of AlabamaZainab Suntai - University of AlabamaChorong Won - University of AlabamaHaelim Jeong - University of AlabamaLewis H. Lee - University of Alabama
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Research on aging, Vol.46(9-10), pp.468-479
- DOI
- 10.1177/01640275241246279
- PMID
- 38613140
- NLM abbreviation
- Res Aging
- ISSN
- 0164-0275
- eISSN
- 1552-7573
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- Alabama Transportation Institute Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- School of Social Work; Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9985013725502771
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