Implementation of outreach telephone counseling to promote mammography participation. Rimer BK, Resch N, King E, et al. Multistrategy health education program to increase mammography use among women ages 65 and older. He began by discussing the cultural and social aspects of this population that differentiate them from other patient groups. A major barrier to the effective care of women in this group is impaired communication between patient and physician.
Gender can also play a significant role.
While this can be useful early in life, it can cause problems with advancing age as these male financial providers die. Many women in this age group are left with little or no income and may therefore be unable to pay for adequate health care. Other factors affect the physician's ability to effectively provide care to a member of this population. Dr. Espino stated that the interaction between the patient and the physician is relationship-driven in this culture. It is important for the physician to establish a strong personal relationship and work to maintain that relationship in order to earn the trust of the patient.