Illness Experiences and Health Recovery Behaviors of Patients in Southern Appalachia

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain a better understanding of the influences of Appalachian culture and rural living on illness experiences and health recovery behaviors. The study sample consisted of 257 randomly selected adult patients admitted to medical-surgical units in eight hospitals in West Virginia. Patients completed interviews in the hospital and by phone and in their homes 1 month after hospital discharge. In addition, 203 nurses and 79 physicians completed a values survey and decisional control questions. The triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data suggested that culture, age, gender, and rural residence affected responses to illness and recovery. Traditional values and roles persisted in this population and influenced health behaviors. The findings of this study support the need for culturally sensitive care and for innovative education programs to reduce health risks.

Patient satisfaction with nursing care: a concept analysis within a nursing framework

“…2003). A study framed by the Cox model showed that patients who perceived their health status as moderately to seriously ill on hospitalization expressed satisfaction with the hospital experience in follow‐up interviews 2 weeks after discharge (Russwurm et al. 1996).…”

“…In addition, patients with better self-perceived health status at admission have reported higher satisfaction with care (Thi et al 2002, Cleary et al 2003. A study framed by the Cox model showed that patients who perceived their health status as moderately to seriously ill on hospitalization expressed satisfaction with the hospital experience in followup interviews 2 weeks after discharge (Russwurm et al 1996).…”

“…These behaviours include respectful deference to others, assurance of human presence, professional skill and knowledge, and attentiveness to others (Wolf et al 1998). In the context of the IMCHB, researchers have reported patients' feelings of being cared for by nurses as important to their satisfaction with care (Russwurm et al 1996, Bear & Bowers 1998, Bryant & Graham 2002.…”

Cultural Perspectives Concerning Adolescent Use of Tobacco and Alcohol in the Appalachian Mountain Region

“…Denham's study of Appalachian families in Ohio 14 and Cavender's observation of Appalachian families in Tennessee 24 also documented this maternal role as the arbiter of the family's health‐related concerns. A study of hospitalized adults in West Virginia found that women maintained the traditional role of nurturer and that family, health, and salvation were the most important values for patients in the study 25 . Horton observed that Appalachian women serve as spokespersons for their families 26 .…”

Faith Moves Mountains: An Appalachian Cervical Cancer Prevention Program

“…The vast majority of families in the region maintain a membership in a church and well over one third of residents indicate that they attend church at least once per week 25. Additionally, recent evidence refutes the assumption that religious communities promote negative constructs like fatalism or lack of self-efficacy 26. For the past 2 decades, faith communities have been selected as a primary setting and/or partner for the delivery of health educational messages and interventions, most especially in African American faith organizations 27,28…”