Experiences with access to healthcare among a sample of older African American adults

Introduction: Chronic disease management is an important issue in clinical practice. Having access to healthcare and effective communication with a healthcare provider are important factors in the management of chronic diseases such as hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. Older adults may have multiple co-morbidities and experience a range of different issues such as unemployment, retirement, and searching for a new job. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conduct with a sample of 28 African American older adults in a clinic in Georgia. The clinic is located in a large, urban city in a predominately African American, low-income neighborhood. This clinic participates in a state funded program which offers hypertension medicines for a low of $30.00 for 6 months to qualified patients. Interviews were conducted and transcribed concurrently by the researcher. Phenomenology was used as a conceptual framework. Data was analyzed to determine the common experiences of participants in relation to access to healthcare. Results: Participants reported difficulties with access to care prior to attending the clinic. They discussed how being uninsured and their low salary negatively impacted their ability to obtain healthcare. They reported the high amounts of anxiety and stress they felt from being unable to control their hypertension. They were frustrated from being unable to pay for the high cost of medicines and doctor's visits, and thus stopped seeing their physician. They did not feel that physicians were listening to their concerns, but merely giving them a prescription in a short clinic visit. They reported low self-esteem and low confidence to voice their concerns. They appreciated the access to the current hypertension clinic in town since it provided them a place to receive healthcare and low cost treatment for their hypertension. They believed that the clinic was making a positive impact for low-income and uninsured patients in the local community. Discussion: The results of this study are important for health care providers and those who provide treatment to uninsured and low-income populations. Culturally sensitivity and empathy are important when treating these patients in practice. The results show that qualitative interviews can contribute to an in depth understanding of improving the quality and access to medical care for low-income, minority, and underserved populations.