Decision making process of seeking medical help among myocardial infarction patients at the onset of symptoms

Delayed decision making is a major barrier to the administration of on time medical treatments. Numerous factors can affect the process of decision making of seeking treatment in patients with myocardial infarction symptoms. However, their decision making process are unexplored well. This study aimed to explore decision making process of seeking medical treatment among people with symptoms of myocardial at the onset of symptoms. A grounded theory approach was adopted to analyse semi-structured interviews carried out with 19 patients with acute myocardial infarction before hospitalization. This study focused on the onset of symptoms up to time of patient's decision-making for medical help- seeking. Data were collected and analyzed simultaneously through constant comparative method. Perceived personal control was emerged as the core variable of the process of decision-making for treatment-seeking in patients with myocardial infarction symptoms. Perceived personal control contained two main individual and interaction domains and five major categories named as awareness of symptoms, personal appraisal, self action, perceived threat, and consultation with others, which resulted finally in a medical treatment-seeking behavior. Patient's primary decision making to reduce symptoms resulted in actions such as self-treatment that delayed time of decision-making. Age, sex, level of education, and awareness of myocardial infarction symptoms influenced patient's decision making. Patients with acute myocardial infarction symptoms made decision of medical treatment-seeking with delay and this was based on their perceived personal control. Patients and individuals at the risk need to more education about how and why they should promptly seek medical treatment.