Older age, diabetes, and nocturnal onset were associated with delayed medical consultation for acute coronary syndrome, while ambulance use mitigated these delays.
Does a tailored patient education programme reduce the time from symptom onset to medical consultation in patients with acute coronary syndrome?
Addressing cognitive, emotional, and cultural barriers through tailored patient education may reduce critical prehospital delays in acute coronary syndrome.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with patient outcomes strongly influenced by the timeliness of medical intervention. Despite public awareness campaigns, consultation delays continue to present a critical barrier to effective treatment, particularly in high-risk groups. Dr Akihiro Ogushi, Lecturer at the Faculty of Nursing, Shikoku University, is addressing this gap through the development of a patient education programme designed to encourage early consultation and reduce prehospital delays. His research integrates quantitative analysis, including multivariate logistic regression of large-scale registry data, with qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews, to identify both clinical and psychosocial determinants of delayed presentation. Findings highlight that factors such as older age, diabetes and nocturnal onset are associated with delays, while ambulance use appears to mitigate them. Beyond statistical associations, Ogushi’s work emphasises the cognitive, emotional and cultural processes influencing patient decision-making. The programme aims to provide tailored, patient centred education that not only improves awareness of ACS symptoms but also addresses psychological barriers and behavioural tendencies, offering action plans that include family engagement. Importantly, the initiative is designed for implementation in real-world clinical settings, with potential for digital and virtual reality delivery to minimise the burden on healthcare staff. Future directions include comparative studies with conventional education, international collaboration and expansion to healthcare professional training. Ultimately, this research seeks to establish an evidence-based, globally relevant framework that empowers patients to seek timely care, reduces mortality, and informs both clinical practice and health policy.
Akihiro Ogushi (2026) studied Acute coronary syndrome. Patient education programme was evaluated on Delayed medical consultation. Older age, diabetes, and nocturnal onset were associated with delayed medical consultation for acute coronary syndrome, while ambulance use mitigated these delays.