 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Gonzalo Bacigalupe, EdD, Graduate College of Education, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Bvld, Boston, MA 02125, 617 287 7631, gonzalo.bacigalupe@umb.edu and Jan E. Mutchler, PhD, Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125-3393.
This research examines the role of literacy and verbal proficiency in English in shaping medication practices. The linguistic and literacy characteristics of the older Latino population leads researchers to suggest that poor English skills among many older Latino health care recipients—coupled with poor or no Spanish skills among most health care providers—result in inadequate health care. This research project, supported by the National Institute of Aging takes a first step toward investigating this issue by considering medication practices among older Latinos. Existent conceptual models suggest that medication practices result from a combination of individual characteristics, health status (including personal assessments of health and interpretation of symptoms), and contextual factors, such as access to medical services, and referral network. Although very little information on medication practices of older Latinos is available, some evidence suggests that this group’s practices diverge from those of the larger population. This pilot project has identified how and to what extent limitations in literacy and verbal proficiency in English shapes choice of substance-based treatments. We conducted several focus groups and semi-structured interviews of Latino elders in the eastern Massachusetts region. Interview transcripts were analyzed with the aid of qualitative data analysis software. The findings underline the multidimensional relationships that exist between health literacy and medication as well as the relevance of health care access and quality. Group and individual interviews explored knowledge of medications, interactions with medical personnel and pharmacy, decision making process, family involvement, barriers to access, use of over the counter medicines, and the way patients overcome barriers to access.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Hispanic, Elderly
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: NA
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.