Miss Alexandra Humphrys¹, Professor Megan Smith¹, Associate Professor  Rylee Dionigi¹

¹Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia

Abstract:

Farmers experience a lower standard of health than the general population, and are a consumer group with specific requirements of health services. This study provided new insights into how farmers understand, maintain and make decisions about their health. This knowledge enables better collaboration between farmers and rural and remote allied health professionals.
In-depth interviews were conducted with seven farmers in the Riverina, recruited by trusted referral. Data was analysed using inductive content analysis to generate new insights into the health values, maintenance behaviours, and decision-making processes of farmers.
The findings of this study were captured in three themes: farmers understand their health in relation to their role as a farmer, farmers actively aim to maintain health, and farmers base their health decisions on the values of productivity and self-sufficiency. It was found that farmers do not refrain from seeking the help of practitioners, however they have different triggers for help-seeking compared to other consumer groups.
What this means for allied health professionals is that farmers as a consumer group may use consultations for advice and maintenance strategies for multiple issues, rather than presenting with one specific issue. It also provides evidence that improving functionality at work, which is within the scope of physiotherapists and occupational therapists in particular, is the key to providing allied health services that address the specific needs of farmers as a consumer group.

Biography:

Alexandra Humphrys is a new graduate physiotherapist, who conducted this research as part of her Honours degree under the guidance of co-authors, Professor Megan Smith and Associate Professor Rylee Dionigi. Alexandra grew up in Echuca, and has always been interested in rural health, having travelled extensively in the Australian outback. She is inspired by rural practitioners, and aspires do her best to improve the health of rural communities.
Professor Megan Smith is a director of Three Rivers University Department of Rural Health. She has previously been the Head of School of the School of Community Health, physiotherapy course leader, Sub Dean of Workplace Learning for the Faculty of Science, and Acting Associate Dean for the Faculty of Science. Her current research interests are in the area of developing a future rural health workforce that can meet the health needs of rural communities, and she supervises PhD, Professional Doctorate, Masters and Honours students.
Associate Professor Rylee Dionigi is widely published in the fields of sport sociology, ageing and physical activity, health, exercise psychology and leisure studies. She has extensive expertise in qualitative research methodologies, and her research is recognised both nationally and internationally. In addition to her work at Charles Sturt University, she has ongoing external research collaborations in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.