Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2020

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Nursing

Major Professor

Sandra P. Thomas

Committee Members

Mary Gunther, Nan Gaylord, John Smith

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological research study is to describe the lived experience of uninsured individuals accessing and receiving healthcare at nurse-led primary care clinics. This study is grounded in the existential phenomenological philosophy of Merleau-Ponty and guided by research procedures developed by Thomas and Pollio (2002). The study answers the question: What is the meaning of the patient’s perception of their lived healthcare experience as an uninsured individual? The research design methodology included a purposeful, convenience sample to recruit participants. Nine participants comprising five women and four men, ranging in age from 34 to 65, were interviewed to elicit perceptions of their primary care clinic experiences as uninsured patients, living in profound poverty in Mississippi. This study allowed patients to describe figural aspects of their experiences of accessing and receiving healthcare in nurse-managed clinics. Data analysis included reading and exploring each transcript for meaning units, patterns, and global themes in developing a thematic structure. The researcher and the Transdisciplinary Phenomenology Research Group agreed upon the final thematic structure. Four figural themes emerged: (1) A Safe Place, (2) “They Make You Feel Like You are a Loved Human Being,” (3) “They Just Ain’t in a Rush” versus “In and Out,” and (4) My Whole Body is Being Considered. Study rigor was maintained through bracketing, data saturation, peer debriefing, member checking, and the use of direct quotes to support findings. This study contributes to a deeper understanding and awareness of patients’ healthcare experiences, and may help to improve services for this economically disadvantaged population. Such research findings could help support and provide new information regarding best practices for population health outcomes among targeted populations. Findings also add to the evidence-base of nursing literature with implications for education, practice, and policy in nursing.

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