Volume 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics (Posters)
IJMEHM 2024, 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics (Posters): 1-2 |
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Mohsenpour M, Zoka A, Amani F, Charoghchian Khorasani E, Hosseini S J. The Dignity of the Elderly: The Missing Link in the Search for Primary Health Care Services: A Qualitative Study. IJMEHM 2024; 17 (S1) :1-2
URL: http://ijme.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6883-en.html
URL: http://ijme.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6883-en.html
Mohaddeseh Mohsenpour * 
1, Amir Zoka2 , Fahimeh Amani3 , Elham Charoghchian Khorasani3 , Seyyed Javad Hosseini3
1, Amir Zoka2 , Fahimeh Amani3 , Elham Charoghchian Khorasani3 , Seyyed Javad Hosseini3
1- Associate Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2- Instructor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydarieh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran
3- Health Deputy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2- Instructor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydarieh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran
3- Health Deputy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract: (107 Views)
Societies that fail to adequately address the growing needs of the elderly and the consequences of aging will face significant challenges. A critical challenge in many countries involves ensuring the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare services for the elderly. The active engagement of older adults in seeking healthcare services and adhering to preventive care measures is crucial for reducing healthcare costs. This study aimed to elucidate the lived experiences of elderly individuals regarding the factors influencing their utilization of primary healthcare services in Mashhad, Iran. This qualitative study employed content analysis. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling from a list of elderly individuals registered with health centers in Mashhad, including those who regularly utilized services and those who had not visited in the past two years. Eighteen elderly individuals participated in the study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using open-ended questions and subsequent probing. Interview transcripts were analyzed using Bernard's formal content analysis approach. A significant barrier to accessing healthcare services identified by elderly participants was a lack of dignity during their visits to health centers. This theme encompassed two subcategories: perceived dignity violation and observed dignity violation. The imposition of feelings of worthlessness on the elderly was recognized as a prevalent cultural issue within society. Factors contributing to a diminished sense of dignity included: inadequate physical space to accommodate the limitations of the elderly, informal and unprofessional behavior of healthcare providers, excessive waiting times, unsanitary and overcrowded health centers, a lack of appointment scheduling, disruptions in internet and software systems that prolonged the healthcare process, shared waiting spaces with infants and young people, and insufficient seating. Participants emphasized the detrimental impact of a lack of dignity in healthcare settings, expressing feelings of worthlessness. These findings corroborate those of previous studies highlighting the paramount importance of dignity in healthcare environments. The perception among elderly individuals that healthcare services prioritize administrative processes over patient-centered care may discourage them from seeking preventive services. This study underscores the critical need for a cultural shift within healthcare systems to prioritize the dignity and respect of elderly patients and foster a supportive environment that encourages preventive care.
Type of Study: Ethics Congress |
Subject:
Congress of Ethics
Received: 2025/02/26 | Accepted: 2024/12/23 | Published: 2024/12/23
Received: 2025/02/26 | Accepted: 2024/12/23 | Published: 2024/12/23
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