Abstract
Protocols that support paramedics to assess, treat and refer low-risk syncope (fainting) may allow for ED transport of only high-risk patients. The development and uptake of such protocols is limited by a dearth of information about factors patients consider when deciding to seek EMS care following syncope. We explored decision-making processes of individuals with syncope regarding whether (or not) to call EMS after fainting as a starting point in the development of prehospital risk-stratification protocols for syncope. Twenty-five Canadian adults (aged 18-65years) with a history of ≥ 1 syncopal episode were recruited. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Straussian grounded theory methods were used to identify common themes and a core (overarching) category. Four themes were identified: (a) previous experiences with the healthcare system (e.g., feeling dismissed), (b) individual patient factors (e.g., age, medical history), (c) attitudes and beliefs (e.g., burdening the health care system, syncope is "not serious"), and (d) contextual factors (e.g.,influence of important others, symptom severity). Perceived judgement, including judgement from EMS and negative self-evaluations, was identified as the core category that influenced patients' decisions to seek care. We theorize that, while patients consider many factors in deciding to contact EMS for syncope, previous experiences of feeling judged and unfavorable beliefs about syncope may interfere with patients' receptiveness to traditional EMS protocols for syncope. The findings highlight potential patient needs that program developers may wish to consider in the development of prehospital protocols to improve care and satisfaction among patients with syncope.
Highlights
Syncope [1] presentations to Canadian emergency departments (EDs) comprise 1–3% of annual ED visits [2]
Qualitative interviews with paramedics suggest patients may be resistant to complying with treat-and-refer protocols by refusing, for example, to be referred to non-emergency alternatives, or discharged on-site [11,12,13]
We investigated the decision-making processes of non-senior adults (18–65 years) with syncope when deciding whether to call EMS for themselves, or others, after fainting using a patient-oriented approach
Summary
Syncope (fainting; defined as temporary loss of consciousness and inability to maintain postural tone with spontaneous recovery) [1] presentations to Canadian emergency departments (EDs) comprise 1–3% of annual ED visits [2]. EMS protocols have been developed and implemented for other low-risk conditions (e.g., hypoglycemia, supra-ventricular tachycardia) that support paramedics to assess, treat, and refer patients to alternative care pathways [9, 10]. Protocols that support paramedics to assess, treat and refer low-risk syncope (fainting) may allow for ED transport of only high-risk patients. Objective We explored decision-making processes of individuals with syncope regarding whether (or not) to call EMS after fainting as a starting point in the development of prehospital risk-stratification protocols for syncope. Results Four themes were identified: (a) previous experiences with the healthcare system (e.g., feeling dismissed), (b) individual patient factors (e.g., age, medical history), (c) attitudes and beliefs (e.g., burdening the health care system, syncope is “not serious”), and (d) contextual factors (e.g., influence of important others, symptom severity). The findings highlight potential patient needs that program developers may wish to consider in the development of prehospital protocols to improve care and satisfaction among patients with syncope
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