Seeking medical services among rural “grandmother-grandchildren” left-behind families in China: a qualitative study

The number of left-behind elderly people and children in rural China is rapidly increasing, and they are unable to receive sufficient daily care, economic support, and spiritual comfort from their children. The health issues of rural left-behind elderly people directly affect the economic and social risks of left-behind families, and the rural left-behind elderly people and children face more serious health challenges than urban elderly people. The data were collected and analysed by the method of inductive content analysis and in-depth interview. A total of 13 participants participated in the study, using semi-structured interview guidelines that were thoroughly discussed and agreed upon by all researchers to encourage participants to talk about their experiences seeking medical care. The medical treatment of left-behind elderly and left-behind children in rural China faces enormous challenges. In terms of access to medical services, there are obstacles such as low income, high medical costs, and insufficient coverage of medical insurance. Due to the lack of companionship from adult children, left-behind elderly people can only rely on neighbours and relatives to seek medical services. The difficulty of seeking medical treatment for left-behind elderly people and children in rural China is significant, and greater efforts should be made to make it easier for them to access medical services.