ATTITUDES OF SENIOR HEALTH SCREENING PARTICIPANTS TOWARD HEALTH CARE FOLLOW-UP.
Contributors: Kansas State University.
Published: 1984
Number of pages: 161
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.
Description: A descriptive study investigated the attitudes of elders who participated in a senior health screening program toward health beliefs and the completion of recommended health care follow-up. Demographic variables of age, sex, residence, and diagnosed problem qualities (problem complexity, outcome and severity) were correlated to health belief attitudes, a self-assessed health rating and category of completed follow-up.

The sample was comprised of individuals over the age of sixty years who had participated in a nursing-based health screening clinic. Subjects had been diagnosed with either a new health problem or were experiencing a complication from a previous disorder, had been counseled to seek medical assistance and had telephone communication with a staff member to note follow-up results. Demographic data and follow-up information were obtained from health files. A Health Beliefs Questionnaire and self-assessed health rating were completed by 78 older adults from a sample of 134 individuals.

Health beliefs measured were "Avoidance of Health Care Providers" and "Faith in Medicine." A significant relationship occurred between age and Faith in Medicine. While a statistically significant difference did not result from other comparisons, questionnaire responses yielded relevant information from the sample. An analysis of belief items noted that medical care was generally obtained when the condition was perceived as serious by the elder. Individuals attempted home remedies and waited to observe illness states before consulting a physician. An overwhelming 91% related they avoided medical providers if they felt well. While 92% responded they followed the physician's advice, 80% believed the physician frequently could not diagnose an individual's ailment. Financial and transportation concerns were not perceived barriers.

Results from this study supported the need to strengthen counseling to the individual who might elect not to seek recommended care. Attitudinal assessments are crucial for understanding potential noncompliers.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-10, Section: B, page: 3206.

Thesis (PH.D.)--KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, 1984.

School code: 0100.