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Life situation of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a descriptive longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Flemme Inger,
Bolse Kärstin,
Ivarsson Anita,
Jinhage BrittMarie,
Sandstedt Bengt,
Edvardsson Nils,
Fridlund Bengt
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2702.2001.00494.x
Subject(s) - statistical significance , descriptive statistics , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , medicine , life satisfaction , descriptive research , quality of life (healthcare) , statistical analysis , psychology , nursing , social psychology , statistics , mathematics
• 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.