Challenges for Older Health Workers in Rural Australia
Author Information
Author(s): Fragar Lyn J, Depczynski Julie C
Primary Institution: Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, University of Sydney
Hypothesis
What specific difficulties do older health workers face in rural areas as they age?
Conclusion
Older health workers face a range of challenges that impact their work and well-being, necessitating solutions at personal, workplace, and system-wide levels.
Supporting Evidence
- Older health workers reported difficulties with tasks like reading labels and administering medications due to age-related changes.
- Participants expressed that emotional impacts from patient care and personal health issues are more pronounced as they age.
- Many older health workers desire to work less or have more regular hours to manage family commitments.
Takeaway
Older health workers in rural Australia find many aspects of their jobs harder as they age, like reading labels and handling patients, and they need more support to keep working.
Methodology
Qualitative action research using focus group discussions and thematic content analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in participant selection and group dynamics may have influenced the data collected.
Limitations
The views of participants may not represent all older health workers, and some individuals may not have felt free to express personal opinions in a group setting.
Participant Demographics
Participants were mainly older nurses and allied health workers, predominantly female, with many having over 30 years of experience.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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