After hours healthcare for older patients in New Zealand--barriers to accessing care.
OBJECTIVE
To explore older people's attitudes and their perceptions of barriers when seeking medical care after hours.


METHODS
In-depth interviews and a focus group of older people were conducted and key informants were interviewed. The data was analysed using qualitative techniques.


RESULTS
Reluctance to be a nuisance, transport problems, cost, lack of information, and reluctance to see an unfamiliar doctor are among the barriers described by older people.


CONCLUSIONS
There were transport, cost, and social barriers to older people obtaining after hours medical care.
Eastwood
Anne
A
Department of General Practice, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Jaye
Chrystal
C
D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D005249:Fees and Charges; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009520:New Zealand; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000191:economics