"Striving to resume command" - main concern for recipients of implantable cardioverter defibrillator

• Background: Earlier studies have shown that individuals with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) experience fear, stress, anxiety, and depression in their daily life, but also feelings of gratitude, safety, and belief in the future. Uncertainty and restrictions in physical, psychological and social functioning are common responses to their experiences. Aim: The aim of the study was to illuminate the main concern of individuals living with an ICD and how they handle this in their daily life. Method: Sixteen Swedish recipients (9 men) who had lived with a defibrillator for 6 to 24 months were interviewed during 2007. Data was collected and analyzed in a simultaneous process according to guidelines for classical grounded theory. Results: In the analysis, a substantive theory was generated explaining the main concern of ICD recipients and how they handle this in their daily life. The core category, labelled “Striving to resume command” illuminates the main concern of ICD recipients. To manage this main concern, the recipients used the following strategies: Economizing resources, Distracting oneself, Submitting to one’s fate and Re-evaluating life. Conclusions: Based on empirical data, a substantive theory was generated illuminating the main concern for ICD recipients and strategies they used to manage this in daily life. The theory deepens the understanding of the recipients´ striving to resume command over their lives in an ongoing adjustment process which they have to face. This knowledge has clinical relevance and suggests that nurses should support the ICD recipients in this respect and thereby contribute to optimizing their sense of control in daily life. Future research could focus on the role of family members of ICD recipients and in what way they can support rather than overprotect their closely related.

Nyckelord

Defibrillators

implantable

heart diseases

nursing

qualitative research

quality of life

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)