The Association between the Self-Management of Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life of Elderly Populations in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ohta, Ryuichi; Kitayuguchi, Jun; Maeno, Tetsuhiro; Sano, Chiaki

doi:10.3390/ijerph18168857

Cited by 21 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Each patient can have various approaches to their symptoms. These approaches depend on their surroundings [34]. Although the concrete process of HSB varies, if they follow the potential HSB of using both types of care that fit their symptoms, their health conditions can be improved [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Help-Seeking Behaviors Associated with Better Self-Rated Health among Rural Older Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ohta

Kitayuguchi²,

Maeno

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Help-seeking behaviors (HSB) for mild symptoms vary because of differences in health care resources and patients’ backgrounds. Potential HSBs for lay and professional care use are related to patients’ health conditions. However, there is a lack of evidence of the relation between them. This study examined the relation between patients’ potential HSBs and self-rated health (SRH). The cross-sectional study involved 169 patients, aged above 65 years, who visited a Japanese rural clinic. A validated checklist was used to assess potential patients’ HSBs. A chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to examine the relation between patients’ self-rated health and HSB regarding lay and professional care use. Participants were 77.5 years old, on average (SD = 8.3). Results reveal that having regular exercise habits (OR = 2.42, p = 0.04), adequate sleep (OR = 4.35, p = 0.006), work (OR = 2.59, p = 0.03), high socioeconomic status (OR = 6.67, p = 0.001), and using both lay and professional care (OR = 2.39, p = 0.046) were significantly correlated with high self-rated health. Living alone was negatively correlated with higher SRH (OR = 0.23, p = 0.015). To improve rural patients’ health care, in addition to improving their health management skills, potential HSB for mild symptoms should be investigated and interventions that consider patients’ socioeconomic factors and living conditions should be implemented.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Help-Seeking Behaviors Associated with Better Self-Rated Health among Rural Older Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ohta

Kitayuguchi²,

Maeno

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…To sustain this relationship, hybrid consultation systems should be applied, using ICT to ensure the sustainability of patient-centered care and continuity of care by maintaining face to face interaction with the reduced risk of infection [50]. Furthermore, the present conditions of patients' and healthcare workers' medical actions should be sustained and enhanced through continuous provision of information and education about HSBs [17,19]. The appropriate utilization of medical care and the sustainability of patient-centered care can reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and improve the quality of care for patients during this pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using both lay and professional care in communities is essential for comprehensive care [9]. Additionally, preferences for lay and professional care are associated with perception of health conditions such as self-rated health and QOL [18,19]. Difficult circumstances regarding HSBs may be more prevalent in rural areas where many people live alone and have different social contexts compared to those who live in cities [20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the Comprehensiveness of Rural Medical Care for Older Japanese Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ohta¹,

Ueno²,

Sano

2021

IJERPH

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Help-seeking behaviors (HSBs) refer to how people use lay and medical care to address their symptoms and diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed older, rural patients’ preferences and experiences regarding HSBs, thereby, affecting the comprehensiveness of medical support for communities. This study identified changes in the comprehensiveness of medical care for older, rural patients, who are often dependent on others for accessing medical services. This observational study was performed with patients who lived in Unnan City. Patients’ dependency and changes in comprehensiveness of medical services were assessed and calculated. The total usage of medical care decreased from 2018 to 2020 at all medical care levels. The proportion of patients who received comprehensive care was higher in 2020 than in 2018, at all care levels. At care dependent levels 3 to 5, the differences in the proportions were statistically significant. This study illustrates an association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the proportion of comprehensiveness of medical care among older rural patients with a decrease in medical care usage. Moreover, an improved proportion of comprehensiveness of medical care leads to appropriate HSBs. Going forward, HSBs and patient-centered care should be promoted by policy makers.

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“…Continuous follow-up without early closure as a diagnostic bias is essential to diagnose IHCs. Besides, older people, especially those living in rural areas, may prefer primary care physicians [13][14][15]. Therefore, primary care physicians living in rural areas should follow up on the patients' symptoms (such as fever of unknown origin) persistently not to miss the diagnosis of IHCs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Persistent Approach to Diagnose Infectious Hepatic Cysts in a Patient With Recurrent Fever: A Case Report

Ikeda¹,

Ohta²,

Nishikura³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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Diagnosing infectious hepatic cysts (IHCs) can be challenging. Moreover, patients with IHCs may present with various symptoms. Diagnosis of IHCs can be even more difficult in patients with multiple liver cysts. For appropriate diagnosis, the detection of infectious sections in the liver is essential. However, diagnosing and determining definite treatments for patients with IHCs can be particularly challenging when they have polycystic liver disease. We present a case of a 70-year-old man who visited a rural community hospital with a primary complaint of recurrent fever and pain in the right upper quadrant. Based on his clinical history, physical examination findings, and imaging findings after three admissions, he was diagnosed with IHCs. This case demonstrates the challenges in diagnosing IHCs in patients with multiple hepatic cysts and highlights the necessity of a careful follow-up of clinical histories and findings of definitive imaging tests in the diagnosis of IHCs in patients with recurrent fever. To diagnose IHCs effectively, a comprehensive approach including history taking, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, is essential. IHCs should be considered by physicians when patients present with recurrent fever. To avoid missing IHCs, physicians in outpatient departments should continuously follow up on patients' IHC-related symptoms such as fever and right upper quadrant pain.

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The Association between the Self-Management of Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life of Elderly Populations in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 21 publications

References 51 publications

Potential Help-Seeking Behaviors Associated with Better Self-Rated Health among Rural Older Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Potential Help-Seeking Behaviors Associated with Better Self-Rated Health among Rural Older Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Changes in the Comprehensiveness of Rural Medical Care for Older Japanese Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Persistent Approach to Diagnose Infectious Hepatic Cysts in a Patient With Recurrent Fever: A Case Report

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