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Symptom consultation in lay networks in an elderly population
S R Edwardson1, K J Dean, D J Brauer
1University of Minnesota, USA.
Journal of Aging and Health
|July 7, 1995
Summary
Elderly individuals frequently seek advice from family and friends for common symptoms, especially female relatives. Consulting lay advisors for arthritis symptoms may increase the likelihood of seeking professional medical help.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Health
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Lay referrals significantly influence the utilization of professional healthcare services.
- Understanding lay consultation in symptom evaluation is crucial, particularly for self-care of unprofessionally managed conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and sources of lay consultation among elderly citizens experiencing common symptoms.
- To explore the relationship between seeking lay advice and subsequent professional healthcare seeking behavior.
Main Methods:
- The study surveyed elderly citizens regarding their consultation patterns with social networks (family, friends) for common symptoms.
- Data analysis focused on identifying key sources of advice and factors influencing consultation seeking.
Main Results:
- Female relatives emerged as significant sources of advice for common symptoms among the elderly.
- Neither gender nor living arrangements showed a strong correlation with the tendency to seek lay advice.
- Seeking lay consultation for arthritic symptoms was associated with a higher likelihood of seeking professional medical consultation.
Conclusions:
- Social networks, particularly female relatives, play a vital role in elderly individuals' symptom evaluation and self-care.
- Lay consultation patterns are complex and may influence the pathway to professional healthcare utilization, especially for chronic conditions like arthritis.