2017 Volume 37 Pages 10-17
Purpose: Diabetes patients who develop acute coronary syndrome (ACS) tend to waste much time before the first visit to hospitals. The purpose of this study was to clarify the process of getting the First Medical Contact (FMC) for patients with diabetes who developed ACS.
Method: A semi-structured interview was conducted for 6 patients with diabetes who developed ACS. An individual analysis and comprehensive analysis were carried out. Data was analyzed by using the qualitative synthesis method (KJ method). This study was conducted with the consent of the Ethics Committee of the author’s affiliated institution and the targeted one.
Result: Our study has specified 8 symbolic marks of the process of getting the FMC for patients with diabetes who developed ACS. These included the followings: [how to deal with diabetes: making their efforts even in inescapable circumstances], [interests in myocardial infarction: the experience of learning about diabetes cannot lead to the understanding of the relationship between diabetes and myocardial infarction], [interpretation of prodromal symptoms: assuming the relationship between the symptoms and other causes], [decision that leads to hospital visit: sensing myocardial infarction is perceived as “dangerous”], and four others.
Conclusion: [how to deal with diabetes] and [interests in myocardial infarction] was the basis for getting the FMC. A need of the education for individual patient including the process to FMC was suggested.
