Abstract
BackgroundChronic conditions contribute to over 70 % of Australia’s total disease burden, and this is set to increase to 80 % by 2020. Women’s greater longevity means that they are more likely than men to live with disability and have unique health concerns related to their gender based roles in society. Cultural and social issues can impact on women's health and are important to consider in health services planning and research. In this study, we aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to providing a gender-based approach to chronic conditions and women's health in an eastern metropolitan region of Australia.MethodsFocus groups were used to engage both community-dwelling women who had chronic conditions and relevant professional stakeholders in the target area. Recorded proceedings underwent thematic analysis.ResultsFive focus groups were conducted with professional stakeholders and women community members in February and March 2014. Resultant themes included: women’s disempowerment through interactions with health systems; social and economic constraints and caregiving roles act to exclude women from participating in self-care and society; and empowerment can be achieved through integrated models of care that facilitate voice and enable communication and engagement.ConclusionsThis study underscores the importance of including perspectives of sex and gender in health care services planning. Tailoring services to socio-demographic and cultural groups is critical in promoting access to health care services. Unique epidemiological trends, particularly the ageing of women and new migrant groups, require particular attention.
Highlights
Chronic conditions contribute to over 70 % of Australia’s total disease burden, and this is set to increase to 80 % by 2020
This paper reports on a qualitative study that was situated within a larger health services project set in an eastern metropolitan region of Australia
Participants were asked to draw on their professional or personal experience to provide a description of women’s journeys through the health care system, ways in which being female may influence living with chronic conditions, and what resources might assist fostering a gendered approach to health care
Summary
Chronic conditions contribute to over 70 % of Australia’s total disease burden, and this is set to increase to 80 % by 2020. Women’s greater longevity means that they are more likely than men to live with disability and have unique health concerns related to their gender based roles in society. Cultural and social issues can impact on women's health and are important to consider in health services planning and research. There has been a limited focus on the needs of women and how social determinants and socio-cultural factors impact on their wellbeing. This has meant that women with such conditions have not received the level of support and services needed to ensure the best possible outcomes [4]
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