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The Seamless Communication on a Rural Island in Japan: A Qualitative Study from the Perspective of Healthcare Professionals

Author

Listed:
  • Moe Kuroda

    (Department of General Medicine, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama 930-0194, Japan)

  • Ryuichi Ohta

    (Department of Community Care Medicine, Unnan City Hospital, Unnan 699-1221, Japan)

  • Kaku Kuroda

    (Department of General Medicine, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
    Department of Family Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13215, USA)

  • Seiji Yamashiro

    (Department of General Medicine, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
    Department of Primary Care, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama 930-0194, Japan)

  • Keiichiro Kita

    (Department of General Medicine, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama 930-0194, Japan)

Abstract

On remote islands, interprofessional collaboration is essential to support older adults who live at home, despite the limited number of healthcare professionals (HCPs). Therefore, it is important for HCPs to collect and share information about older adults with health problems. This study aimed to clarify how rural HCPs collaborate using limited resources to support older adults in remote islands. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 healthcare providers for older adults on Zamami Island of Okinawa, Japan. We performed a qualitative analysis using the steps for coding and theorization method. Four themes were extracted: “Collection and communication of information between residents”, “Communication of information from non-HCPs to HCPs”, “Sharing of information between HCPs”, and “HCPs taking action to initiate their approach”. Islanders take care of each other and know each other’s health status, while HCPs gather their health information. When necessary, HCPs on the island gain essential information regarding older adult patients from islanders not only through work, but also through personal interactions. Afterward, HCPs approach older adults who need health care. The human connections on this remote island serve as social capital and enable flexibility in both gathering information and seamless communication among islanders who also serve as informal resources that contribute support for older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Moe Kuroda & Ryuichi Ohta & Kaku Kuroda & Seiji Yamashiro & Keiichiro Kita, 2021. "The Seamless Communication on a Rural Island in Japan: A Qualitative Study from the Perspective of Healthcare Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9479-:d:631599
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Takuji Katsube & Chiaki Sano, 2020. "Rural Homecare Nurses’ Challenges in Providing Seamless Patient Care in Rural Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Jun Kitayuguchi & Chiaki Sano & Karen D. Könings, 2021. "Educational Intervention to Improve Citizen’s Healthcare Participation Perception in Rural Japanese Communities: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Daisuke Kataoka & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Effectiveness and Challenges in Local Self-Governance: Multifunctional Autonomy in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ryuichi Ohta & Emily Weiss & Magda Mekky & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Relationship between Dysphagia and Home Discharge among Older Patients Receiving Hospital Rehabilitation in Rural Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Ryuichi Ohta & Koichi Maiguma & Akiko Yata & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Rebuilding Social Capital through Osekkai Conferences in Rural Communities: A Social Network Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-10, June.

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