8.1 Waiting for chiropody: contextual results from an ethnographic study of the information behaviour among attendees at community clinics

8.1 Waiting for chiropody: contextual results from an ethnographic study of the information behaviour among attendees at community clinics

Pettigrew, KE

Even as a young patient, it can be intimidating to ask for information from medical professionals, especially in a clinic kind of atmosphere. Many people feel very judged and uncomfortable when they are asking for medical care, as if they will be persecuted for not taking better care of themselves. An elderly person taking care of their own medical needs may have this problem, but much worse. Many elderly people do not want to ask someone younger than them for advice. Some may fear that they will seem feeble, either physically or mentally, and do not wish to be sent to a home because it is determined they cannot take care of themselves. For someone who is very proud, admitting a need for help can be very difficult.

Last year, I was a temp worker in an assisted living facility for the mentally ill. Many of our residents were somewhat schizophrenic, and none of them could live entirely on their own. Many were elderly, and on government subsidized healthcare to both pay for their housing and medical care. This was a situation where not only could they not control their own finances and medical costs, but they also had extenuating mental circumstances. The social workers and nurses tried to make sure all the residents fully understood why they needed to take their medication, but the ultimate decision was up to them. Because of their mental problems, some of the residents chose not to take their medication. Some felt it was the reason they had problems, and others simply felt like it took away control over their own lives. While they were being presented with the information, because of the illness, they were not receiving it fully.