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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
09:52
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
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Decision-Making in Seeking Emergency Care for Stroke Symptoms
Jenny Andersson1,2, Sofie Jakobsson3, Åsa Rejnö4,5
1Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine Sahlgrenska Academy University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden.
Stroke (Hoboken, N.J.)
|January 26, 2026
Summary
Fear significantly impacts stroke patient decisions, influencing whether they seek immediate emergency care or delay treatment. Understanding these fear-driven choices is crucial for improving stroke response times and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rapid treatment for stroke, particularly ischemic stroke, is vital for reducing mortality and disability.
- Current focus is on reducing hospital arrival-to-treatment times.
- Significant delays often occur between stroke symptom onset and hospital arrival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the decision-making processes of first-time stroke patients after symptom onset.
- To understand factors influencing the time from symptom onset to seeking medical attention.
Main Methods:
- Grounded theory methodology was employed.
- 36 first-time stroke patients (aged 18+) were interviewed within 4 weeks of symptom onset.
- Patients were identified retrospectively via medical record review.
Main Results:
- Fear was a universal emotion experienced by all patients, significantly affecting their decision to seek emergency care.
- Decision-making was categorized as 'Acting on fear,' with actions determined by the specific reason for fear.
- Three main behavioral categories emerged: immediate care-seeking, pending/reluctance to seek care, and confusion/seeking explanations for symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Stroke patient decision-making is complex and heavily influenced by fear.
- Understanding the nuances of fear-driven responses is essential for developing targeted public health interventions.
- Findings can inform future stroke awareness campaigns to improve pre-hospital response times.
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