8B -
Tracks
Track 2
| Thursday, July 11, 2024 |
| 1:45 PM - 2:10 PM |
| Gilbert Suite |
Speaker
Ms Hayley Subhag
The University of Sydney
1:45pm - 2.10pm Experiences of university students with chronic physical health conditions: Health, study and support
1:45 PM - 2:10 PMFinal abstract
Focus: We present findings from our study which explored the experiences of university students with chronic physical health conditions (chronic conditions), the supports available to these students, and how this research can be applied in a post-COVID-19 education landscape.
Context: Despite increased numbers of young people living with chronic physical health conditions enrolling in university, there is limited research on how they navigate university and healthcare in tandem, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic (Spencer & Almack, 2022; Spencer et al., 2017).
Description: This study aimed to understand how university students with chronic conditions navigate university whilst managing their health.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 students with self-reported chronic conditions at one Australian university. Data were analysed thematically and inductively.
Evidence: Four themes were generated; (1) Challenges navigating university, (2) Issues navigating healthcare, (3) The role of social support, and (4) Tensions between shifting identities. Findings highlight that students with chronic conditions navigate university by aligning with shifting identities – the student, the patient, or the self – as their priorities fluctuate. Formal support at university did not adequately meet these students’ needs, limiting their ability to participate fully in academic and social life at university.
Contribution: The diverse experiences but shared barriers reported by participants have implications for structural support provided to students with chronic conditions, including the ways in which they are not considered in policy and processes. Critically, this study highlights the need for systematic change across the university sector.
Engagement: The following questions have arisen from the research and will be posed to the audience as a basis for reflection on this important topic:
1. How might the findings of this research be applied to different educational contexts?
2. How can we better support students with chronic illness who do not access formalised supports?
Context: Despite increased numbers of young people living with chronic physical health conditions enrolling in university, there is limited research on how they navigate university and healthcare in tandem, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic (Spencer & Almack, 2022; Spencer et al., 2017).
Description: This study aimed to understand how university students with chronic conditions navigate university whilst managing their health.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 students with self-reported chronic conditions at one Australian university. Data were analysed thematically and inductively.
Evidence: Four themes were generated; (1) Challenges navigating university, (2) Issues navigating healthcare, (3) The role of social support, and (4) Tensions between shifting identities. Findings highlight that students with chronic conditions navigate university by aligning with shifting identities – the student, the patient, or the self – as their priorities fluctuate. Formal support at university did not adequately meet these students’ needs, limiting their ability to participate fully in academic and social life at university.
Contribution: The diverse experiences but shared barriers reported by participants have implications for structural support provided to students with chronic conditions, including the ways in which they are not considered in policy and processes. Critically, this study highlights the need for systematic change across the university sector.
Engagement: The following questions have arisen from the research and will be posed to the audience as a basis for reflection on this important topic:
1. How might the findings of this research be applied to different educational contexts?
2. How can we better support students with chronic illness who do not access formalised supports?
Biography
Hayley Subhag is a recent graduate of the University of Sydney. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Health, Immunology and Pathology) and Honours (Class I) degrees in 2023. Her research focuses on diverse student experiences and how university students with chronic conditions can best be supported throughout their studies. Hayley works in public healthcare and is passionate about adolescent health, patient self-advocacy, and her dog.
Chair
Peter Shand
Academic Lead, Curriculum Transformation
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
