Stroke patients' delay of emergency treatment

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Nursing
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Effective stroke treatment, particularly fibrinolysis, requires administration within 3 hours of symptom onset.
• Despite efforts to reduce hospital arrival times, many stroke patients experience significant delays.
• This study investigates the lived experiences of stroke patients with delayed emergency treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the meaning of acute stroke and its treatment from the perspective of patients experiencing significant delays.
• To understand the factors contributing to delayed arrival at the hospital for stroke care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study design.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with four stroke patients who arrived at the hospital more than 24 hours after symptom onset.
• Analysis using the empirical psychological phenomenological method.

Main Results:

• The core essence of stroke symptoms and treatment was identified as 'Threatened control of bodily function, autonomy and integrity'.
• Patients initially minimized symptoms, treating their bodies as malfunctioning devices.
• Patients desired a personal connection with physicians, rejecting those who did not meet this need; they also excluded family from decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare information should emphasize the link between early neurological symptom treatment and maintaining life control.
• Emergency stroke care organizations should ensure physicians interact with patients on a personal level.
• Improving patient understanding of stroke symptom urgency is crucial for timely intervention.