Factors Affecting the Decision to Receive Thrombolytic Drugs in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Chaibadan Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, thrombolytic therapy can reduce disability, but the decision to take thrombolytic drugs depends on patients’ decision and their relatives. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting their decision to receive fibrinolytic drugs.

Population and methods: This qualitative study employed a semi-structured Interview using a designed and tested interview form with a mean of the consistency Index (IOC) and the confidence coefficient of 0.96 and 0.9, respectively. The interview was conducted with patients and their relatives who participated in decision-making to receive thrombolytic drugs. The research focused on the patients who arrived at Chaibadan Hospital Lopburi Province, within 4.5 hours after exhibiting the symptoms, from January 1 to December 31, 2020.

Results: The result revealed that there were two groups of patients: those who knew their disease and symptoms and those who did not. All of them did not plan for treatment, the decision was made according to recommendations given by their doctors who considered the disease to be serious and harmful and recommended that medication be a proper solution. The information provided by those doctors was helpful and had more advantages than drawbacks. It was also found that making a decision in 5 minutes was a limitation for the participants.

Conclusion: According to nine interviewees, the physician who provided treatment was a key factor affecting patients and relatives’ decision to receive intravenous thrombolytic drugs.