title: Callers' experiences of making emergency calls at the onset of acute stroke: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rapid access to emergency medical services (EMS) is essential at the onset of acute stroke, but significant delays in contacting EMS often occur.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore factors that influence the caller's decision to contact EMS at the onset of stroke, and the caller's experiences of the call.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were identified through a purposive sample of admissions to two hospitals via ambulance with suspected stroke. Participants were interviewed using open-ended questions and content analysis was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  50 participants were recruited (median age 62 years, 68% female). Only one of the callers (2%) was the patient. Two themes were identified that influenced the initial decision to contact EMS at the onset of stroke: perceived seriousness, and receipt of lay or professional advice. Two themes were identified in relation to the communication between the caller and the call handler: symptom description by the caller, and emotional response to onset of stroke symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many callers seek lay or professional advice prior to contacting EMS and some believe that the onset of acute stroke symptoms does not warrant an immediate 999 call. More public education is needed to improve awareness of stroke and the need for an urgent response.
authors: Clinical Practice Research Unit, School of health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK. sjones10@uclan.ac.uk
authors: Stephanie P
authors: SP
authors: Jones
authors: Hazel A
authors: HA
authors: Dickinson
authors: Gary A
authors: GA
authors: Ford
authors: Josephine M E
authors: JM
authors: Gibson
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Leathley
authors: Joanna J
authors: JJ
authors: McAdam
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: McLoughlin
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Quinn
authors: Caroline L
authors: CL
authors: Watkins
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult