Determinants of patient’s decision-making in seeking care when experiencing stroke-associated warning signs

Abstract

Stroke strikes millions of people worldwide.  It is categorized as one of the most alarming Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCCDs) because of links to long-lasting disability or death.  From the literature, it is known that a stroke patient’s decision of seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms occur is connected with better clinical outcome. A descriptive phenomenological design explored 12 post-stroke survivors’ experiences of their decisions to seek or delay care within the first three hours of symptom onset.  Three themes emerged:  Hindering Factors, Motivating Factors, and Stroke of Luck.  Hindering Factors and Motivating Factors depicted core variables that either hampered or motivated health care seeking behaviors.  The third theme, Stroke of Luck, highlighted the multi-dimensional impact of the stroke experience on survivors’ life choices.  Results from this study support expanded initiatives to educate the public on stroke symptoms through media platforms.  Keywords: Stroke; health care seeking behavior; post-stroke survivors’ experience.