Help-seeking behaviours among older adults: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

IntroductionDespite evidence that illustrates the unmet healthcare needs of older adults, there is limited research examining their help-seeking behaviour, of which direct intervention can improve patient outcomes. Research in this area conducted with a focus on ethnic minority older adults is also needed, as their help-seeking behaviours may be influenced by various cultural factors. This scoping review aims to explore the global literature on the factors associated with help-seeking behaviours of older adults and how cultural values and backgrounds may impact ethnic minority older adults’ help-seeking behaviours in different ways.Methods and analysisThe scoping review process will be guided by the methodology framework of Arksey and O’Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The following electronic databases will be systematically searched from January 2005 onwards: MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Scopus. Studies of various designs and methodologies consisting of older adults aged 65 years or older, who are exhibiting help-seeking behaviours for the purpose of remedying a physical or mental health challenge, will be considered for inclusion. Two reviewers will screen full texts and chart data. The results of this scoping review will be summarised quantitatively through numerical counts and qualitatively through a narrative synthesis.Ethics and disseminationAs this is a scoping review of published literature, ethics approval is not required. Results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal.DiscussionThis scoping review will synthesise the current literature related to the help-seeking behaviours of older adults and ethnic minority older adults. It will identify current gaps in research and potential ways to move forward in developing or implementing strategies that support the various health needs of the diverse older adult population.RegistrationThis scoping review protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/69kmx).

Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Older Adults: A Scoping Review

“…This scoping review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines (Tricco et al, 2018; Supplementary File 1) and is registered with the Open Science Framework (Teo, 2020). Further methodological details, additional definitions, and the published protocol for this scoping review are available online (Teo et al, 2021). The methods were also informed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), which are described below.…”

Health information sources and health‐seeking behaviours of Filipinos living in medically underserved communities: Empirical quantitative research

“…Older persons, for example, have been found to have a higher level of consciousness and awareness, a greater sense of responsibility for their health and, inevitably, a greater level of concern regarding their health. However, a recent scoping review of 52 studies on the health‐seeking behaviours of older adults showed contrasting findings; that older adults often failed to ask for help when ill (Teo et al., 2021). In addition, the review reported that older adults would commonly self‐assess their health first to determine whether seeking help was necessary; they often indicated that health‐seeking was viewed as a threat to their independence.…”

“…Individuals with greater knowledge are more likely to maintain control over their condition than those without reliable health information. Moreover, well‐informed individuals are better suited to deal with the uncertainty of disease and the necessary treatments (Teo et al., 2021). Although health information is insufficient to motivate behaviour modification, it is essential and foundational to healthcare.…”

“…The poor performance on access coverage reflects the current state of the country's health system components including service delivery, health financing, human resources, governance and information technology. Likewise, in LMICs, information‐seeking practices and health‐seeking behaviours may differ from those in industrialized countries due to cultural, economic and social variations (Teo et al., 2021). To accommodate for and address the health requirements of individuals in any population, it is crucial to comprehend their health‐ and information‐seeking preferences as these can be reasonably complex.…”

The role of care-seeking behavior and patient communication pattern in online health information-seeking behavior - a cross-sectional survey

“…Care-seeking behaviour: involves finding solutions to a health challenge [ 14 ]. Knowledge of care-seeking options and actual care-seeking have been recently investigated with support for improving information about care options [ 15 ].…”