Honors Theses
Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Robin Wilkerson
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe elders' perceptions and expectations of healthcare. Qualitative in nature, this study was conducted in the methodology explicated by van Manen: hermeneuitc phenomenology. Data was collected in the form of personal interviews. Demographic data was collected to provide context for the study. Three essential themes, the future, time, and trust, and 10 subthemes emerged from analysis and further reflection upon the interviews of the participants. The them of the future included: concern for the future care of elders, financial concern, possible decline in the number or quality of healthcare providers, and the fear of the unknown. Four subthemes of time were described by the elder participants: taking away time, tiaking the time, remaining time, and perseverance. The them of trust was an important factor in the elders' perception of healthcare. Trust was expected to be reciprocal between elders and their healthcare providers, including respect and meeting expectations. Elders' expectations of healthcare were also identified. The participants discussed a wide variety of expectations, particularly pertaining to characteristics of healthcare providers. The elders' perception of experiencing all three themes and having their expectations met or exceeded was associated with descriptions of satisfactory outcomes and the reception of good care.
Recommended Citation
DeLashmit, Micaela Marie, "Through the Eyes of the Elder: Perceptions and Expectations of Health Care" (2012). Honors Theses. 1979.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1979
Accessibility Status
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