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Almost Normal: Experiences of Adolescents With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Author(s) -
Zeigler Vicki L.,
Nelms Tommie
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2009.00186.x
Subject(s) - medicine , qualitative research , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , psychology , medical emergency , developmental psychology , cardiology , social science , sociology
PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of adolescents with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).DESIGN AND METHODS. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of 14 adolescents with ICDs using face‐to‐face, semistructured interviews.RESULTS. Six themes were identified: life interrupted; still the same, except; sometimes it's tough; it cuts both ways; unique joule; and living life regular.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. These findings suggest that nurses could make a significant impact on the lives of adolescents with ICDs by focusing their efforts away from viewing the adolescent through an illness lens and more toward a normalization lens.