Why do older people not use the services of the integrated aging program? Multidimensional approach in Qaemshahr, Iran

Abstract

Why do older people not use the services of the integrated aging program? Multidimensional approach in Qaemshahr, Iran Background & Objectives: Access to health services is a critical issue in health policymaking. This study aimed to explain why older adults do not refer to health care centers from the perspective of the elderly, physicians, and healthcare providers. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in two groups with the participation of 29 older adults and 18 employees of the health center. Purposeful sampling and sample size were determined based on data saturation. Data were analyzed manually using conventional content analysis. Findings: The participants were mainly from the age group of 60-64 years (58.6%), with 3 to 4 children (72.4%) and no economic dependency on family members (82.8%). There were 19 males (65.5%), ten females in the elderly group, eight physicians (44.4%), and ten healthcare providers in the group of service providers. Viewpoints of the participants were finally characterized into six themes including having priority in referring to the private sector, lack of knowledge about the health services of the centers, unfavorable physical environment and location of the center, inefficiency of insurance and costs. Conclusion: Given the wide range of non-referral factors, the need for more attention by policymakers to this part of the health care system is recommened.