Abstract

TEJADA-TAYABAS, Luz María  and  MERCADO-MARTINEZ, Francisco J.. Between the availability and accessibility to health care: The perspective of patients with chronic diseases living in poverty. Salud colectiva [online]. 2010, vol.6, n.1, pp.35-45. ISSN 1669-2381.

Health care of people with chronic diseases is a complex issue; hence there is a growing concern to evaluate health programs oriented to such group. This paper examines availability and accessibility to health care from the perspective of those with chronic diseases living in poverty. A qualitative evaluation was carried out in a Mexican city. Ten persons with chronic diseases, and above 60 years, participated in the study. Forty five interviews were carried out; data were content analyzed. According to the findings, there are three models for accessing and using health care: one is linked to the social security; another to public health services, and a third one related to private health services. Nevertheless, the main common finding shows that there is a gap between existing health care resources and the access and a minor utilization of them due to multiple obstacles.

Keywords : Chronic Illness; Health Services Evaluation; Qualitative Research; Poverty.

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