Illness experiences and health recovery behaviors of patients in Southern Appalachia

The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain a better understanding of the influences of Appalachian culture and rural living on illness experiences and health recovery behaviors. The study sample consisted of 257 randomly selected adult patients admitted to medical-surgical units in eight hospitals in West Virginia. Patients completed interviews in the hospital and by phone and in their homes 1 month after hospital discharge. In addition, 203 nurses and 79 physicians completed a values survey and decisional control questions. The triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data suggested that culture, age, gender and rural residence affected responses to illness and recovery. Traditional values and roles persisted in this population and influenced health behaviors. The findings of this study support the need for culturally sensitive care and for innovative education programs to reduce health risks.