Recreational-vehicle-dwelling American nomads' experiences seeking healthcare: A qualitative field study

Aim: To explore the experiences of recreational-vehicle-dwelling American nomads when seeking healthcare in the United States.

Design: This exploratory, qualitative study employed interpretive description design to maintain a disciplinary focus in nursing.

Methods: Twenty-five participants were recruited from campgrounds in eight states. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face. Thematic analysis was conducted using a phronetic iterative approach.

Results: Three overarching themes described participants' experiences seeking healthcare: overwhelming logistics, don't need healthcare, and orchestrating a web of care.

Conclusion: Recreational-vehicle-dwelling nomads in the United States face additional complexity when accessing healthcare related to seeking care in unfamiliar locations and policies that prevent the portability of healthcare across state lines.

Implications: More research is needed to evaluate solutions to improve healthcare access for recreational-vehicle-dwelling nomads. Nurses and policymakers should consider healthcare practices through the lens of nomads' lifestyle mobility. The impact of policy decisions on people who are geographically mobile should be considered, and barriers to healthcare portability should be addressed.

Impact: This was the first study focused on the healthcare experiences of recreational-vehicle-dwelling nomads in the United States. Nomads face additional complexity and barriers to healthcare access. Some nomads developed strategies to overcome barriers, while others disengaged from healthcare. The findings will impact researchers and nurses who study and care for nomads.

Reporting method: The SRQR reporting guidelines were followed.

Patient or public contribution: Recreational-vehicle-dwelling nomads reviewed the recruitment flyer and interview guide and provided input on recruitment methods and sites.