Knowledge about Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and attitudes to medical care seeking : a comparison between patients and the general public

• Background: Patients with acute myocardial infarction often have long decision times beforeseeking medical care. The decision time is influenced by knowledge of AMI-symptoms,psychological factors and the response of people near the patient to the symptoms.Aim: To investigate and compare the knowledge of AMI, intended actions in response to AMIsymptomsand attitudes toward seeking medical care of patients and the general public.Method: This was a multi-centre study with descriptive and comparative design, usingquestionnaires as an instrument. The population consisted of AMI-patients and representatives ofthe general public.Results: There was good knowledge about typical AMI-symptoms among the participants. Themajority thought an AMI always starts suddenly. Patients did not know more about the timedependencyof treatment outcome than the general public. A greater proportion of the generalpublic would contact an additional person before consulting medical professionals.Conclusions: Patients had no better knowledge about AMI than the general public, but wouldmore commonly act appropriately in case of AMI-symptoms.

Nyckelord

Acute myocardial infarction

decision making

patient

general public

knowledge and attitudes

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)