UCRH researcher Mohammad Hamiduzzaman is the lead author on a new journal article looking at older rural women’s participation in clinical decision-making with GPs and exploring factors associated with their pre-visit planning and involvement in treatment processes.
The work has been published in Patient Education and Counseling and highlights that while rural older women are often adequately prepared for their GP visits, factors such as limited education, lack of English proficiency, and being in the younger range of the elderly population are risk factors for inadequate pre-visit planning and lower engagement in general practitioner treatment processes.
The study involved women aged 65 years or above who had visited a GP three months prior were recruited from five rural towns in South Australia through the local Rotary Club.
The study provides actionable insights on how and where to intervene to enhance older rural women’s capacity to engage in pre-visit planning for successful GP consultations. This knowledge can empower healthcare professionals and policymakers to implement effective strategies.
