Fitting a Round Peg into a Square Hole: Exploring Issues, Challenges, and Strategies for Solutions in Rural Home Care Settings

Authors

Beverly D. Leipert, University of Western OntarioFollow
Marita Kloseck, University of Western OntarioFollow
Carol McWilliam, University of Western OntarioFollow
Dorothy Forbes, University of Western OntarioFollow
Anita Kothari, University of Western OntarioFollow
Abram Oudshoorn, University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2007

Journal

Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care

Volume

7

Issue

2

Abstract

While home care has received much attention lately, little research to date has drawn on the experiences of rural multidisciplinary teams providing in-home care. Home care is typically studied in urban areas, with the tendency to expand urban practices to rural settings, often with problematic results. This paper presents findings regarding unique rural multidisciplinary home care issues, challenges, and strategies for solutions. Five focus group interviews were held with each of three rural multidisciplinary home care provider groups (n=19) in southwest Ontario, Canada. Findings revealed practice issues related to time, distance, communication, recruitment and retention, as well as system issues regarding poor understanding and scheduling of rural practice by administrators and urban employers. Study findings indicate that rural home care requires enhanced understanding and changes to policies and practices to provide efficient and effective care to rural residents. Best practice guidelines for home care in rural areas are urgently needed.