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PATIENT VIEWS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF RHEUMATIC FEVER AND RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE IN THE KIMBERLEY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Author(s) -
Mincham Christine M.,
Toussaint Sandy,
Mak Donna B.,
Plant Aileen J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2003.00531.x
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatic fever , heart disease , perspective (graphical) , qualitative research , disease , population , disease management , health care , family medicine , physical therapy , pediatrics , environmental health , social science , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , parkinson's disease , economics , economic growth
Objective: To describe, from a patient perspective, factors leading to suboptimal management of individuals with rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among members of the Kimberley population.Method: Qualitative in‐depth semistructured and repeated interviews of seven Kimberley patients, or parents of children, with rheumatic fever and/or rheumatic heart disease, during 1998.Results: Participants showed variable levels of understanding about RF/RHD, often relating to the need for secondary prophylaxis. Compliance with medication was closely linked with positive patient–staff interactions. From the perspective of health care, living in a remote location was frequently described as a negative influence. Participants desire more accessible and culturally appropriate opportunities for learning about their disease.Conclusions: Participants focused on issues closely related to effective and ineffective management of RF/RHD. The lessons learned are indicators for health staff attempting to improve the quality of management that people receive.