Older People’s Help-Seeking Behaviors in Rural Contexts: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Help-seeking behavior (HSB) is vital for older people to sustain their health. As people in aging societies increasingly demand management of their multiple symptoms, communities should encourage HSBs. In rural communities, insufficient healthcare and human resources influence older people’s health. However, no related comprehensive evidence exists so far. This study investigates the present condition of older people’s HSBs in rural contexts in aging societies. We conducted a systematic review by searching six databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science) for original studies regarding HSBs of older people in rural contexts published until January 2022. Extracted articles were analyzed based on participants, settings, HSB causes and contents, and older people’s HSB outcomes in rural contexts. Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review: seven investigated the associations between HSBs and participants’ backgrounds, and three the quality of life. Six studies investigated HSB perception, diagnosis, clarifying HSB contents, professional care trend, self-rated health, and mortality. Unlike few studies investigating the association between HSBs and health-related outcomes, this systematic review explains the current evidence regarding rural older people’s HSBs. Due to insufficient evidence from longitudinal studies in clarifying interventions for effective HSBs, future studies should use observational and interventional designs.

Improvement in Quality of Life through Self-Management of Mild Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…The limitations of this study include its prospective cohort design, which may not clearly indicate the cause-and-effect relationship between self-management and QOL. In addition, the study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and QOL may have been lower than in the previous studies [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. It may not have been difficult to improve QOL during this period.…”

“…Furthermore, to empower rural community members and healthcare professionals, these people should be involved in such conversations [ 50 , 51 ]. Through these dialogues, older people, community workers, and healthcare professionals in rural areas may clarify their understanding of HSBs and healthcare resources [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. In addition, they might be empowered and motivated to learn HSBs from healthcare professionals.…”

Hemodialysis-Related Pericarditis With Cardiac Tamponade

“…The timing of pericardial drainage was considered due to the progressive pathophysiology of pericardial effusion. As older patients tend to have vague symptoms, their medical help-seeking behavior may be poor [ 13 , 14 ]. Furthermore, in considering the treatment of patients with chronic pericardial effusions, it is crucial to monitor the pericardial fluid volume and the relationship between its rate of increase and clinical symptoms to perform drainage at the appropriate time.…”

Pseudogout as a Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin Following Staphylococcal Bacteremia in an Older Patient

“…In addition, older patients have multiple comorbidities that can complicate the diagnosis process [ 17 ]. In the present case, the patient's cognitive decline made it challenging to verbally communicate subjective symptoms [ 17 , 18 ]. Therefore, cervical pseudogout was diagnosed by examining physical findings related to noninfectious diseases, a frequent cause of unknown fever in older adults.…”

“…Therefore, cervical pseudogout was diagnosed by examining physical findings related to noninfectious diseases, a frequent cause of unknown fever in older adults. In cases wherein the patient cannot provide accurate subjective symptoms for various reasons, the medical history may be obtained from the patient's cohabitant or caregiver, including general condition (level of consciousness, appetite, weight loss, and impact on daily activities), local symptoms (headache, respiratory symptoms, digestive symptoms, urinary tract symptoms, joint symptoms, and skin symptoms), and risk factors (medical history, travel history, history of illness with contact, and exposure to animals and insects) [ 17 , 18 ]. In addition, nurses and therapists who frequently intervene in daily care and during medical examinations may assist in history-taking to help notice new results at an early stage.…”