Understanding Older Women's Health Care Concerns

A Qualitative Study

Bibliographic Data

ID20393242
AuthorsCara Tannenbaum (0000-0002-7102-2333, Montreal General Hospital), Cara B Tannenbaum (Montreal General Hospital), Louise Nasmith (Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel), Nancy E Mayo (0000-0003-2066-7120, Royal Victoria Hospital), Nancy Mayo (Royal Victoria Hospital)
Year2003
Volume15
Issue4
Pages103-116
Publication date2003-12-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Women & Aging (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0895-2841 • E-ISSN: 1540-7322
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j074v15n04_09
PMID14750592
OpenAlexW4239535408
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited18

Background: Older women often have different physical and psychological health priorities compared to men, and health systems must strive to extend and improve health care delivery to meet older women's specific health care needs. The goal of this study was to obtain information from older women on how to improve health care services to best support their efforts to age successfully and receive optimal quality health care in later life. Methods: Focus groups were conducted among women aged 65 or older recruited from the community in the Montreal, Quebec, area. A total of 36 women participated. The focus group sessions were audiotaped, and the transcripts of each session were analyzed for issues and themes emerging from the text. Content analysis using the framework approach was used to explore and understand the experience of the focus group participants. The data from the text were then coded according to the relevant and emergent ideas and concepts. Results: Participants felt that their physical health care needs were being met, but that a number of issues relating to psychological health were inadequately addressed by health care professionals. The importance of feeling validated as active participants in a health care relationship, recognition of fears and anxieties associated with aging, and the need for information-sharing and education were all viewed as important health care priorities for older women. Time and accessibility were identified as the most significant barriers towards receiving optimal health care in later life. Interpretation: The current health care system does not meet the global health care needs of older women. Health care leaders must recognize that success in program development and delivery for older women will require designing clinical programs that address both the physiological and psychosocial requirements of women. Only when women feel that they are being cared for in a comprehensive manner, one that includes attention to physical, psychological and emotional health, are we likely to be delivering health care that optimally promotes successful aging. KEYWORDS: Agingwomenemotional healthhealth care prioritiesvalidationfocus groups

Family medicine · Health care · Political science · Qualitative research · Sociology · Healthcare Policy and Management · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology

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