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Turkish patients' decision‐making process in seeking treatment for myocardial infarction
Author(s) -
Yardimci Tuğba,
Mert Hatice
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
japan journal of nursing science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.363
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1742-7924
pISSN - 1742-7932
DOI - 10.1111/jjns.12011
Subject(s) - turkish , feeling , myocardial infarction , medicine , grounded theory , qualitative research , family medicine , medical emergency , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , philosophy , linguistics , social science , sociology
Aim The purpose of this study was to reveal how T urkish patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ) for the first time decide to seek medical treatment following the initiation of the symptoms. Methods This qualitative study was carried out by using the grounded theory. Data were collected in a university hospital cardiology clinic in T urkey between M arch 2009 and M arch 2010. The sample comprised 30 patients having experienced AMI for the first time. The data were collected by an in‐depth interview technique via a semistructured interview form. All of the interviews were recorded using a tape‐recorder. Results The median decision‐making time was 90 min. Two main themes emerged at the end of the study: “feeling of abnormality” and “thinking the situation is critical”. Deciding to seek medical help was found to be a process which emerges with the severity of symptoms, an inability to manage symptoms, fear, and extrinsic factors. Conclusion The results of this study show the importance of being aware of the symptoms when deciding to seek treatment. It is recommended to develop training programs about AMI symptoms and the importance of receiving early medical help by targeting society in general and the individuals with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and their relatives in particular, and to organize awareness‐raising campaigns supported by the media.