NDLI: “I didn’t even wonder why I was on the floor” – mixed methods exploration of stroke awareness and help-seeking behaviour at stroke symptom onset

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Busetto, Loraine Stang, Christina Herzog, Franziska Sert, Melek Hoffmann, Johanna Purrucker, Jan Seker, Fatih Bendszus, Martin Wick, Wolfgang Ungerer, Matthias Gumbinger, Christoph
Abstract	Introduction To better target stroke awareness efforts (pre and post first stroke) and thereby decrease the time window for help-seeking, this study aims to assess quantitatively whether stroke awareness is associated with appropriate help-seeking at symptom onset, and to investigate qualitatively why this may (not) be the case. Methods This study conducted in a German regional stroke network comprises a convergent quantitative-dominant, hypothesis-driven mixed methods design including 462 quantitative patient questionnaires combined with qualitative interviews with 28 patients and seven relatives. Quantitative associations were identified using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Open coding was performed on interview transcripts before the quantitative results were used to further focus qualitative analysis. Joint display analysis was conducted to mix data strands. Cooperation with the Patient Council of the Department of Neurology ensured patient involvement in the study. Results Our hypothesis that stroke awareness would be associated with appropriate help-seeking behaviour at stroke symptom onset was partially supported by the quantitative data, i.e. showing associations between some dimensions of stroke awareness and appropriate help-seeking, but not others. For example, knowing stroke symptoms is correlated with recognising one’s own symptoms as stroke (r = 0.101; p = 0.030; N = 459) but not with no hesitation before calling help (r = 0.003; p = 0.941; N = 457). A previous stroke also makes it more likely to recognise one’s own symptoms as stroke (r = 0.114; p = 0.015; N = 459), but not to be transported by emergency ambulance (r = 0.08; p = 0.872; N = 462) or to arrive at the hospital on time (r = 0.02; p = 0.677; N = 459). Qualitative results showed concordance, discordance or provided potential explanations for quantitative findings. For example, qualitative data showed processes of denial on the part of patients and the important role of relatives in initiating appropriate help-seeking behaviour on patients’ behalf. Conclusions Our study provides insights into the complexities of the decision-making process at stroke symptom onset. As our findings suggest processes of denial and inabilities to translate abstract disease knowledge into correct actions, we recommend to address relatives as potential saviours of loved ones, increased use of specific situational examples (e.g. lying on the bathroom floor) and the involvement of patient representatives in the preparation of informational resources and campaigns. Future research should include mixed methods research from one sample and more attention to potential reporting inconsistencies.
Related Links	https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12913-024-11276-6.pdf
Ending Page	12
Page Count	12
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14726963
DOI	10.1186/s12913-024-11276-6
Journal	BMC Health Services Research
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	24
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2024-08-02
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Public Health Health Administration Health Informatics Nursing Research All clinical neurology Medical care Stroke awareness Help-seeking behaviour Mixed methods research Qualitative research Acute stroke
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health Policy

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Intrinsic factors influencing help-seeking behaviour in an acute stroke situation

Explaining factors affecting help-seeking behaviors in women with urinary incontinence: a qualitative study

Gender comparisons in non-acute cardiac symptom recognition and subsequent help-seeking decisions: a mixed methods study protocol.

Help-seeking challenges for female sexual concerns: a qualitative study from Iran

Why, and how, mixed methods research is undertaken in health services research in England: a mixed methods study

Transdisciplinary allied health assessment for patients with stroke: a pre-/post- mixed methods study protocol

Factors influencing the help-seeking behavior in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study

Help seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse: an example of an integrated mixed methods synthesis of systematic review evidence defining methodological terms

Barriers to help-seeking for Malaysian women with symptoms of breast cancer: a mixed-methods, two-step cluster analysis

“I didn’t even wonder why I was on the floor” – mixed methods exploration of stroke awareness and help-seeking behaviour at stroke symptom onset

Similar Documents

Intrinsic factors influencing help-seeking behaviour in an acute stroke situation

Explaining factors affecting help-seeking behaviors in women with urinary incontinence: a qualitative study

Gender comparisons in non-acute cardiac symptom recognition and subsequent help-seeking decisions: a mixed methods study protocol.

Help-seeking challenges for female sexual concerns: a qualitative study from Iran

Why, and how, mixed methods research is undertaken in health services research in England: a mixed methods study

Transdisciplinary allied health assessment for patients with stroke: a pre-/post- mixed methods study protocol

Factors influencing the help-seeking behavior in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study

Help seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse: an example of an integrated mixed methods synthesis of systematic review evidence defining methodological terms

Barriers to help-seeking for Malaysian women with symptoms of breast cancer: a mixed-methods, two-step cluster analysis

“I didn’t even wonder why I was on the floor” – mixed methods exploration of stroke awareness and help-seeking behaviour at stroke symptom onset