Farmers benefit from healthcare hubs at marts, survey shows

Offering healthcare services at livestock marts will help to remove the stigma about seeking help among farmers, new research shows.

A study by the University of Exeter revealed that farmers, particularly men, can be resistant to seeking support, but putting doctors and nurses in a place where they meet and work with others regularly can help break down barriers.

Those who took part in the research said masculine traits, including pride and fear of being judged, also prevented them seeking support.

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Removing barriers such as time constraints, the need to change into or out of work clothes, the need to book and travel to an appointment, and overcoming more subtle barriers such as mistrust of practitioners, can help encourage farmers to get healthcare.

Of the 17 auction mart sites studied, two hosted permanent clinics, three hosted mobile clinics, and four offered on-demand services.

The researchers spoke to nurses, auction operators and farmer support groups, who said holding the services at marts removed barriers for farmers to seek help.

Farmer views

Most interviewees said an illness or injury must be extremely bad before they looked for help, but believed having the health hubs at auction marts was positive.

Several spoke proudly of the fact that farmers are known for not seeking help.

Some farmers said they had continued to work for several hours with injuries, later diagnosed as broken bones or torn ligaments. Some were reported to have continued to work for days before seeking help.

Many interviewees said farmers often went to the doctor because of pressure from a female relative. Those over 55 were considered more likely to delay asking for help.

Several farmers across a range of age groups, as well as auction operators, admitted to having experienced challenges with their mental health.

Many stated a preference to talk to a rural chaplain, friends or family members before a health professional.

Several commented on the lack of availability of appointments, particularly in the case of mental health services.

Stigma

Dr Caroline Nye from the University of Exeter said: “We need to stop those in the agricultural community feeling reluctant to seek help and remove any shame or stigma they associate with seeing a doctor or nurse.

“Putting services in livestock marts can help to create positive attitudes towards health services. They can be used to show masculine behaviour not to see a doctor is not healthy, through peer-to-peer persuasion in the places where farmers feel at home and part of their community.”