Self-management of chronic conditions in a rural and remote context

Sav, Adem, King, Michelle A., Kelly, Fiona, McMillan, Sara S., Kendall, Elizabeth, Whitty, Jennifer A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5886-1933 and Wheeler, Amanda J. (2013) Self-management of chronic conditions in a rural and remote context. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 21 (1). pp. 90-95. ISSN 1448-7527

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Living in a rural or remote environment presents unique challenges for people with chronic conditions, mainly those created by limited health-care services and the physical and emotional isolation. Yet, research on how people self-manage their chronic conditions in such locations is limited. This study aims to contribute to research and clinical practice by describing the ways in which a diverse group of rural and remote people with a range of chronic conditions, and their unpaid carers, self-manage their conditions. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews, data was collected from a sample of 32 participants, residing in one of two regions of Australia: Mount Isa/North West region of Queensland and the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. Our findings suggest that although self-managing in a rural and remote context requires many of the lifestyle changes necessary in urban areas, the uniqueness of the rural lifestyle and the limited availability of health care results in, at times, creative forms of self-management. Health-care professionals and policy makers need to be cognisant of the ways in which rural and remote residents modify self-management strategies to suit their needs, and help them develop self-management plans tailored to the realities of their rural environment.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Economics
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Respiratory and Airways Group
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 27 Apr 2016 12:00
Last Modified: 31 Oct 2022 17:31
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/58417
DOI: 10.1071/PY13084

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item