A Qualitative Examination of Self-Care and Ideal Health Care Among Rural Female Veterans

Veteran's Affairs Whole Health system of care emphasizes a person-centered and proactive approach to self-care and well-being. Since personal values and locally available resources may affect these motivations among rural-dwelling female Veterans, we examined perceptions of self-care practices, views about what ideal health care entails, and recommendations for support among rural-dwelling female Veterans.

This study is part of a larger quality improvement project that evaluated a clinician-delivered telehealth outreach program. Twenty-one female Veterans (age range 22-85 years) participated in qualitative interviews.

Veterans reported engaging in a variety of self-care practices. Notably, being physically active outdoors was important, and many choose to live in rural communities to access outdoor activities. Veterans also found importance in community-based connection (e.g., participating in faith communities). Some Veterans noted challenges with accessing activities and having smaller social networks due to their rurality; thus, Veterans also saw a need for groups or events focused on community building to help foster community among women Veterans. When asked about ideal health care, multiple Veterans wished for less emphasis and reliance on medications, instead desiring more emphasis on holistic care and increased access to complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches.

These findings indicate that rural-dwelling female Veterans engage in myriad self-care practices and see their ideal health care as including more CIH approaches. These data support continued investment in CIH as part of the broader VA Whole Health initiative and the importance of health care teams helping facilitate nonpharmacologic interventions.