Get ’Er Done: Experiences of Canadian Farmers Living with Chronic Low Back Disorders
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: This study explored the experiences of adult farmers living with chronic low back disorders (LBDs) in Saskatchewan. Method: A qualitative phenomenological approach with inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze semi-structured interviews that had been audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview items focused on the perceived cause of LBDs, their impact on social and work life, coping strategies, and health care access and use. Results: A total of 12 face-to-face interviews were conducted with 11 men and 1 woman aged 40–84 years. Two overarching themes emerged: seasonality and isolation. Related sub-themes included pushing through, doing less, barriers to health care, and self-management. Conclusions: Farmers are faced with seasonal demands and geographical constraints, which lead them to push through the pain or do less when experiencing an episode of low back pain. In addition, farmers identified many barriers to accessing health care services that caused them to develop self-management techniques to cope or to go without care. This study provides the groundwork for future research addressing the unique occupational demands of farmers. Knowledge of farmers’ experiences with chronic LBDs and their challenges regarding health care access can help inform health care providers and decision makers and contribute to tailored services and management approaches for similar rural and remote regions in other parts of the world.
Résumé
Objectif : explorer les expériences des agriculteurs adultes de la Saskatchewan qui souffrent de douleurs lombaires chroniques. Méthodologie : les chercheurs ont utilisé une approche phénoménologique qualitative associée à une analyse thématique inductive pour dépouiller des entrevues semi-structurées enregistrées puis transcrites textuellement. Les volets de l’entrevue portaient sur les causes perçues des douleurs lombaires, les effets de ces douleurs sur la vie sociale et professionnelle, les stratégies d’adaptation, l’accès aux soins de santé et l’utilisation de ces soins. Résultats : au total, les chercheurs ont effectué 12 entrevues individuelles auprès de 11 hommes et une femme de 40 à 84 ans. Deux thèmes globaux ont émergé : le caractère saisonnier et l’isolement. Les sous-thèmes connexes incluaient le fait de persévérer, le fait d’en faire moins, les obstacles aux soins et l’autogestion des soins. Conclusion : les agriculteurs doivent se soumettre à des exigences saisonnières et des contraintes géographiques, ce qui les incite soit à persévérer soit à en faire moins lorsqu’ils souffrent de douleurs lombaires. Ils ont également énuméré de nombreux obstacles aux services de santé, qui les portent à adopter des techniques d’autogestion pour endurer ou poursuivre sans se faire soigner. L’étude jette les bases de futures recherches sur les exigences professionnelles caractéristiques des agriculteurs. Ce regard sur les expériences des agriculteurs à l’égard des douleurs lombaires chroniques et de leurs difficultés à obtenir des soins peut éclairer les dispensateurs de soins et les décideurs et contribuer à la création de services adaptés et d’approches de prise en charge dans des régions rurales et éloignées semblables d’autres parties du monde.
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Published In
Physiotherapy Canada
Volume 71 • Number 1 • Winter 2019
Pages: 24 - 33
Copyright
© Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
History
Published online: 21 December 2018
Published in print: Winter 2019
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Funding Information
This work was funded in part by the Canada Research Chairs program. Additional funding was provided by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and the School of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. The research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a Master of Physical Therapy degree (BJ, LD, JC, JN, NR) at the University of Saskatchewan.
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Physiotherapy Canada 2019 71:1, 24-33
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