Facilitators and Barriers Influencing Healthcare-Seeking Behavior Among Elderly Filipino Women in the United States

Department

WellStar School of Nursing

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 1-2020

Embargo Period

4-5-2020

Abstract

Background: The U.S. population is rapidly aging. Despite rapid increases in the population during the past decades, Filipinos remain one of the most poorly understood and neglected racial/ethnic minority groups. Utilization of healthcare, access, and assimilation in the United States healthcare delivery system can be very challenging for elderly minorities.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the facilitators of and barriers to elderly Filipino women’s healthcare-seeking behavior.

Methods: An interpretative phenomenology design was used in this research study to provide an in-depth understanding of elderly Filipino women’s experiences in seeking healthcare services. Six elderly Filipino women with ages ranged from 75 to 85 years (mean age 80.3, SD=3.33) were interviewed.

Results: Four themes emerged (a) family support; (b) faith and cultural understanding; (c) communication and feelings of intimidation; (d) healthcare insurance and financial concerns.

Conclusion: The study findings signal the need to create effective and appropriate strategies for increasing elderly Filipino women’s access to healthcare services that will improve their health outcomes.

Journal Title

Journal of Nursing Practice Applications and Reviews of Research

Journal ISSN

ISSN 2329-4760 (Print) ISSN 2329-4779 (Online)

Volume

10

Issue

1

First Page

5

Last Page

13

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2020.10.01.1003

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