Delay time from onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) to seeking medical assistance can have life-threatening consequences. It has been found, that women delay is significantly longer than man's delay (Moser et al., 2006; Acsis, 2013). Little is known about the factors that contribute to these gender differences in asking for medical help.

This study will examine the factors that contribute to women delay in asking for medical assistance while experiencing MI. The study will focus on psycho-social factors, as well as personality components as possible barrios for seeking help. Over more, the study will examine the possibility that women have concerns about the way that the medical system will relate to their symptoms, as another factor that contributes to the delay. Finally, we will explore the decision-making period, that eventually brought these women for seeking help.

To examine the study questions, we will conduct a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 15 women, aged 18-99, that are hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction and delayed for asking for medical assistance.

Identifying the factors that contribute to women delay in seeking help, can assist in reducing the significant period of the delay time and minimizing the irreversible, life-threatening cardiac damage. Furthermore, the results of the current study can help in planning an intervention that will promote health care at the community, family and personal level. 

 

 

​

​

​

​

​