ABSTRACT
Background: Even in the chaotic situation of COVID-19 pandemic, persons with ACS symptoms must seek medical attention as soon as they can in order to get immediate medical care from health staffs at hospital. Immediate medical attention on ACS patients related to better outcomes.Objective: This study aimed to investigate patient with ACS about their behavior and experiences in seeking medical helps during COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: Thirty ACS patients from three different hospitals in Yogyakarta, Indonesia participated in this prospective qualitative research. An in-depth interview that was audio-recorded was used to collect the data. All transcripts were processed to a thematic analysis.Results: In this study, three themes (treatment seeking behavior, impediments to obtaining medical care, and treatment experience) were developed to describe the situation among ACS patients during the COVID-19 viral outbreak. The process of obtaining medical assistance includes self-awareness, family, and neighbors. Therecommendation of Indonesia's insurance system and the distance to the hospital were factors of patient's consideration when choosing a hospital. Surprisingly, ACS patients in Yogyakarta - Indonesia during COVID-19 pandemic, conveyed their concerns to all health workers at hospital for their effective actions and good communication. To cope with their dread and COVID-19 condition, ACS sufferers found comfort in their faith in God's strength and in complying towards government regulations.Conclusion: According to this study, patients weren't always motivated to seek early medical attention in response to ACS symptoms. However, the individuals' experiences of having ACS symptoms were deemed as incomparable to the COVID-19 condition in Indonesia.