Life situation of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator : a descriptive longitudinal study

• • 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.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator

patient experiences

uncertainty

information

satisfaction

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Social medicine

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)