The lived experience of rural adults in metropolitan hospitals

Abstract

Changes in the health care economy and technological advances, situated in metropolitan areas, require rural Americans to leave their homes in the country to receive health care urbanites have readily accessible. This study described the essential structure of the lived experience of three participants who Jived in a rural setting and had been hospitalized within one year prior to interviews. Major results were: technology influencing health care; the value of personal spirituality; the worth of family and social support systems; influences of rural cultural values on health; impact of political and legal decisions on rural health care; and econ01nics affecting rural health care. Health care implications included: expansion of rural practitioner consultation, via teleconferencing, with urban specialists; improved reimbursement for health care in rural areas; recognition of spiritual needs of hospitalized patients; lifting restrictive visitation policies; and increased staff to support patients and families. There were recommendations for further research.