RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to describe changes in the life situation of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator over a period of 1 year. A sample of 56 consecutive patients took part in the study. Life situation was measured through uncertainty in illness, satisfaction, and fear of the life situation. Descriptive statistics were used to present results, and analytical statistics were used to map out changes over time. Overall uncertainty showed a decrease over time. A statistically significant difference was found within the domain uncertainty related to information (P < 0.001). Satisfaction increased within the domains health-functioning, socio-economic, psychological-spiritual, and family. The ability to act within the domain health-functioning showed a statistical significance (P < 0.05). The domain life changes within fear in the life situation decreased and showed a statistical significance (P < 0.05). The overall life situation showed increased satisfaction as well as lower uncertainty and fear in the life situation. The research indicates that patients need more information about changes in the life situation after the implantable cardioverter defibrillator-implantation. The study encourages more humanistic, holistic research about patients' life situations as well as more education in teaching skills for health care personnel.
Asunto(s)
Actividades Cotidianas , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Desfibriladores Implantables/psicología , Estado de Salud , Acontecimientos que Cambian la Vida , Calidad de Vida , Taquicardia Ventricular/psicología , Taquicardia Ventricular/terapia , Fibrilación Ventricular/psicología , Fibrilación Ventricular/terapia , Adulto , Anciano , Enfermedad Coronaria/complicaciones , Desfibriladores Implantables/efectos adversos , Miedo , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Evaluación de Necesidades , Investigación Metodológica en Enfermería , Educación del Paciente como Asunto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Suecia , Taquicardia Ventricular/etiología , Factores de Tiempo , Fibrilación Ventricular/etiologíaRESUMEN
The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is today widely used for the treatment of sudden cardiac near-death episodes as a result of malignant ventricular dysrhythmia. After examining the literature, only four descriptive studies, all carried out in the USA, with a qualitative analysis based on ICD-patients' own perspectives on their life situation have been found. The aim of this study was to describe how patients living with an ICD-device in south-western Sweden conceive their life situation. As the focus was on patients' conceptions seen from a holistic perspective, an analysis inspired by phenomenography was employed on a strategic sample of 15 ICD-patients. Six categories emerged: a feeling of safety, a feeling of gratitude, a feeling of being, having a network, having a belief in the future, and gaining awareness. Although the findings cannot be generalized because of the descriptive research design, they illuminate the beneficial as well as intrusive effects of such a device, and emphasize the need for support groups for patients and families as well as further education for personnel in hospital and primary health care.