The concept of well-being in a rural setting: understanding health and illness

Attitudes to health and illness may differ between rural and urban dwellers. Issues that may relate to the provision of health services to rural dwellers are raised for consideration. The response of urban dwellers to illness or disability has often been linked to discomfort caused by pain or cosmetic attractiveness, while for rural dwellers the response to illness or disability is often related to the degree to which the illness or disability affects productivity. Often the rural resident will postpone seeking medical or associated services until it is economically or socially convenient. The notion of exposing their private lives to strangers or acquaintances from the local based services or to undertake the journey to distant services where the cultural or behavioural differences could be misunderstood, may impact on rural dwellers' well-being. Health service providers in rural areas need to understand such differences and difficulties when offering services.