Women's perceptions of biases and barriers in their myocardial infarction triage experience

To examine women's perceptions of their emergency department (ED) cardiac triage experience for myocardial infarction (MI).

Prompt ED recognition and rapid triage of women is a key component of implementing life-saving interventions for acute MI. Women perceive their symptoms are often ignored by health care providers and not taken seriously.

A qualitative study was conducted using focus group methodology. Narrative descriptions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the Krueger method.

Content analysis revealed perceptions of support and barriers. Supports included ED providers and ED status. Barriers were time delays, communication issues, and biases based on age and gender. These perceived barriers contributed to women's perceptions of disparate treatment.

Women with MI perceived multiple barriers to their prompt recognition and treatment. Evaluation of care delivery processes are needed to reduce barriers and facilitate the prompt and accurate treatment of women for MI.