Table 1 Characteristics of study participants
From: Economic hardship associated with managing chronic illness: a qualitative inquiry
Categories | Sub-categories | Patient (n = 52) | §Carer (n = 14) |
|---|---|---|---|
Residence | Australian Capital Territory | 26 (50%) | 6 (43%) |
| Â | Sydney West | 26 (50%) | 8 (57%) |
Gender | Male | 28 (54%) | 1 (7%) |
| Â | Female | 24 (46%) | 13 (93%) |
Age | Up to 64 years | 17 (33%) | 7 (50%) |
| Â | 65 years and over | 35 (67%) | 7 (50%) |
Special groups | αCulturally & linguistically diverse background | 11 (21%) | 5 (36%) |
| Â | Indigenous Australians | 7 (14%) | 0 |
Marital Status | Married/de facto/living with a partner | 29 (56%) | 13 (93%) |
β Diagnosis | Type 2 diabetes | 27 (52%) | *7 (50%) |
| Â | Chronic heart failure | 20 (38%) | *4 (29%) |
| Â | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 17 (33%) | *7 (50%) |
| Â | More than one index condition | 11 (21%) | *3 (21%) |
| Â | Average length of illness (years) | 16.5 | *21.4 |
| Â | Other co-morbid conditions | 43 (87%) | *11 (86%) |
Visit to GP | Monthly or more often | 35 (67%) | *12 (86%) |
| Â | Bi-monthly or less frequently | 17 (33%) | *2 (14%) |
Family Carer | Have a family carer | #22 (42%) | Non applicable |
| Â | Average length of caring (years) | #14.7 | 12.5 |
| Â | Carer receives financial assistance | #5 (23%) | 5 (36%) |
| Â | Carer receives informal support | #14 (64%) | 9 (64%) |