ACADEMICS at the University of Wollongong are looking
for volunteers for a new study into the health needs of nomads ... grey
and otherwise.
The university's School of Nursing wants to hear from travellers young and
old who have been on the road for more than three months during the past
year.
Researcher Moira Stephens, herself a caravanner, said grey nomads, young
families and "everyone in between" were invited to take part in the online
study.
"Many Australians, including young Australians, families and older
Australians – so-called grey nomads ‒ take to the roads following the
sun," Dr Stephens told Caravanning News.
"The transient nature of the nomadic life provides challenges for both
receiving and delivering health care to support health in general and
healthy ageing in particular," she said.
The findings in travel and tourism literature usually focused on the
economic benefits of grey nomad tourism in particular and the travel
behaviours of grey nomads.
"There is little literature examining the impact of travelling on the
health care systems in popular nomad destinations and on the experience
and logistics of health care for the nomad."
Dr Stephens said the researchers were interested in looking at the health
care needs of the travelling population.
The project was part of a larger body of work which will address key
issues.
These included:
* Mapping the journeys and locations of health service needs for grey
nomads.
* Exploring the impact of the transient population on health care service
delivery.
* Exploring the prevalence of chronic conditions among grey nomads.
* Their preparedness to travel with regard to self-managing chronic
conditions.
* Understanding the fit between health service delivery systems and the
needs of nomads, and
* Considering innovative interventions that can assist in promoting the
health of these individuals and families.
"The first phase of our project is to undertake a national survey," Dr
Stephens said.
"It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete and participants have the
opportunity to leave their contact details to be contacted for a further
interview.
"There is no obligation to do this and it is otherwise anonymous."
For more information or to take part in the survey,
click here.
