Am. Clark, Treatment decision-making during the early stages of heart attack: a case for the role of body and self in influencing delays, SOCIOL HEAL, 23(4), 2001, pp. 425-446
A majority of individuals with the symptoms of heart attack (or myocardial
infarction) delay for significant periods before seeking medical assistance
. These delays are often lengthy and adversely affect mortality by compromi
sing the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy. This qualitative study examined
prehospital decision-making retrospectively in a sample of Scottish myocard
ial infarction (MI) patients (n = 14). From interviews with participants 48
hours after admittance to hospital, decision making was interpreted as fol
lowing a five-stage pattern. The phases were: Experiencing symptoms as fami
liar sensations, moving from the everyday, responding to breakdown, increas
ing crisis and decisions and dialogue. Throughout these phases, participant
s drew on aspects of the body, self and society in order to understand and
react to what was happening to them. Phenomenologically, echoing movements
associated with chronic illness, participants experienced the body and self
differently during the different stages of decision making. Their decision
making was influenced by their views of the self, interpretations of the b
ody and the symptoms of MI and conceptions of personal and general risk.