Exploring elderly people’s health needs in the Asia Pacific region using interpretive and critical qualitative research
The Asia Pacific region is a vast geographical area in the Southern
Hemisphere comprising 48 countries, with sharp contrasts in economic and
social conditions.
Due to longer life expectancies, ageing populations and smaller families, ageing persons will require much health and social care in the future.
The World Health Organisation acknowledges that it mostly presents Asian Pacific population health data from large epidemiological studies in quantitative form, but graphs and tables of indicators cannot fully describe the health situation. In this article, I argue that the scope and size of health issues in the Asia Pacific region, particularly those encountered by ageing people, provides plenty of opportunities for qualitative research inquiry.
I suggest that nurses and other healthcare professionals can better meet elderly people’s health needs in the Asia Pacific region if they consider using interpretive and critical qualitative research approaches to describe their illness and health experiences and find ways to address health care inequities.