Missed opportunities! End of life decision making and discussions in implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients

• Background: Recent guidelines highlight the need for clinician-patient discussions regarding end-of-life (EOL) choices prior to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Health literacy could affect the quality and quantity of such discussions. Objective: Our objective was to determine the association of health literacy with experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of the ICD at EOL. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used validated instruments to measure health literacy and patient experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of the ICD at EOL. Results: Of the 240 ICD recipients, 76% of participants reported never having discussed the implications of a future withdrawal of defibrillation therapy with their healthcare provider. Increased odds of choosing to maintain defibrillation therapy were associated with female gender and lower ICD knowledge. Conclusions: From patients perspectives, EOL discussions with providers were minimal. Most patients hold misperceptions about ICD function that could interfere with optimal EOL care, particularly for those with inadequate health literacy. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator; End of life; End-of-Life Issues in Implantable Cardioverter; Defibrillator Patients Questionnaire; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Newest Vital Sign

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)