TY - JOUR
T1 - Older people’s challenges and expectations of healthcare in Ghana
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Atakro, Confidence Alorse
AU - Atakro, Abigail
AU - Aboagye, Janet Sintim
AU - Blay, Alice Aluwah
AU - Addo, Stella Boatemaa
AU - Agyare, Dorcas Frempomaa
AU - Adatara, Peter
AU - Amoa-Gyarteng, Kwaku Gyimah
AU - Menlah, Awube
AU - Garti, Isabella
AU - Boni, George Sedinam
AU - Berchie, Osei Kwaku
AU - Ansong, Isaac Kwadwo
PY - 2021/1
Y1 - 2021/1
N2 - Background The increase in the number of elderly persons in developing countries has not had a corresponding increase in social and health care support systems for the elderly. There is a substantial difference in the quality of healthcare received by older people in developing and developed countries. Elderly persons in developing countries including Ghana are increasingly becoming marginalised and isolated. There is, however, limited evidence of healthcare challenges and expectations by elderly persons in Ghana. This study explored healthcare challenges and expectations of elderly persons to inform policy that could lead to improved quality of life for elderly persons in Ghana. Materials and methods Qualitative exploratory descriptive study design was used in conducting this study. Semi-structured interviews were used in collecting data from 30 participants from three regions in Ghana (10 from each region). Data analysis was carried out through content analysis. Results Four themes were extracted from data. These themes were: 1. Inadequate information from health workers regarding care of the older person. 2. Queuing frustrations. 3. Financial burden. 4. Focused elderly care demand. Conclusion The elderly in Ghana experience challenges of healthcare which include inadequate information, queuing frustrations and financial burdens. Elderly persons also have expectations of healthcare which include having dedicated professionals and units that will attend to them during their hospital visits. Academic and clinical gerontology experts could collaborate and help improve gerontology knowledge of health workers through workshops and conferences. Improving knowledge of health workers in gerontology may be a positive step towards meeting healthcare expectations of older Ghanaians.
AB - Background The increase in the number of elderly persons in developing countries has not had a corresponding increase in social and health care support systems for the elderly. There is a substantial difference in the quality of healthcare received by older people in developing and developed countries. Elderly persons in developing countries including Ghana are increasingly becoming marginalised and isolated. There is, however, limited evidence of healthcare challenges and expectations by elderly persons in Ghana. This study explored healthcare challenges and expectations of elderly persons to inform policy that could lead to improved quality of life for elderly persons in Ghana. Materials and methods Qualitative exploratory descriptive study design was used in conducting this study. Semi-structured interviews were used in collecting data from 30 participants from three regions in Ghana (10 from each region). Data analysis was carried out through content analysis. Results Four themes were extracted from data. These themes were: 1. Inadequate information from health workers regarding care of the older person. 2. Queuing frustrations. 3. Financial burden. 4. Focused elderly care demand. Conclusion The elderly in Ghana experience challenges of healthcare which include inadequate information, queuing frustrations and financial burdens. Elderly persons also have expectations of healthcare which include having dedicated professionals and units that will attend to them during their hospital visits. Academic and clinical gerontology experts could collaborate and help improve gerontology knowledge of health workers through workshops and conferences. Improving knowledge of health workers in gerontology may be a positive step towards meeting healthcare expectations of older Ghanaians.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100290855&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0245451
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0245451
M3 - Article
C2 - 33465117
AN - SCOPUS:85100290855
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 16
SP - 1
EP - 15
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
IS - 1
M1 - e0245451
ER -