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Life situation of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a descriptive longitudinal study
I Flemme1, K Bolse, A Ivarsson
1School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Sweden. Inger.Flemme@hos.hh.se
Insights
Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) experienced reduced uncertainty and fear, along with increased life satisfaction over one year. Enhanced patient information and holistic care are recommended post-ICD implantation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychosocial Health
- Medical Device Research
Background:
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are crucial for managing life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Understanding the long-term psychosocial impact on patients' lives after ICD implantation is essential for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in the life situation of patients with an ICD over a 1-year period.
- To assess shifts in illness uncertainty, life satisfaction, and fear related to the life situation post-implantation.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 56 consecutive patients with an ICD.
- Utilized descriptive and analytical statistics to track changes in uncertainty, satisfaction, and fear over 12 months.
Main Results:
- Overall uncertainty decreased significantly, particularly in the information domain (P < 0.001).
- Patient satisfaction increased across health-functioning, socio-economic, psychological-spiritual, and family domains (P < 0.05 for health-functioning).
- Fear related to life changes decreased significantly (P < 0.05), indicating improved overall life situation.
Conclusions:
- Patients with ICDs report improved psychosocial well-being, characterized by lower uncertainty and fear, and higher satisfaction one year post-implantation.
- There is a clear need for enhanced patient information regarding life changes after ICD implantation.
- Future research should adopt a more humanistic, holistic approach, and healthcare professionals require improved education in patient-centered communication skills.
Abstract:
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.