A qualitative study exploring pre-hospital patient delays in seeking care for symptoms of sepsis
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Felicia Ruffin (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Elizabeth Van Horn
Abstract: Delays in help-seeking among patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) impact the timeliness of appropriate treatment and contribute to poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial factors influencing help-seeking delays among patients with BSI using the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. A qualitative descriptive study using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 former patients diagnosed with BSI was conducted to identify factors influencing patient pre-hospital delay. Three main themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: Gathering Threads for a Tapestry, Weaving the Threads into a Tapestry for a Garment, and Being Clothed and in Their Right Mind. Four men and six women hospitalized at a university medical center with BSI were enrolled and completed all study components. An inability to recognize symptoms of BSI resulted in delayed help-seeking. Participants had difficulty recognizing their experienced symptoms as being related to BSI if they lacked experience with infection or could not differentiate them from symptoms of other chronic comorbid conditions. When reacting to symptoms of BSI, participants searched for their meaning to develop an action plan. Help-seeking is a coping strategy used by all participants, and they all delayed seeking care. Participants encountered facilitators and barriers to help-seeking. Patient-reported outcomes of BSI on their quality of life (QOL) varied widely, from none to major impact. Problems of symptom recognition and lack of awareness for BSI contributed to help-seeking delays in patients with BSI. Many patients with BSI reported enduring impacts on QOL.
A qualitative study exploring pre-hospital patient delays in seeking care for symptoms of sepsis
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Created on 8/1/2021
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2021
- Keywords
- Bloodstream Infection, Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation, Help-seeking, Patient-reported outcomes, Pre-hospital delay, Sepsis
- Subjects
- Septicemia
- Hospital care
- Help-seeking behavior