Table 2 Synthesised finding
Synthesised finding | Categories | Findings (Themes captured in the qualitative & quantitative study) |
|---|---|---|
Living the ICD Experience: A Constant Process of Redefining Oneself | Describing ICD Shocks | Qualitative Study |
Phantom shock as a somatic experience | ||
Experiences related to ICD shocks | ||
Powerfulness of ICD discharge | ||
A cautious transition to a new normal – Physiological and psychosocial | ||
Reconstructing the unpredictability of living with an ICD – Losing control (Uncertainty associated with the of the device) | ||
Experiencing Uncertainty & Psychological Distress | Qualitative Study | |
Emotional impact of phantom shock | ||
Living on the edge: I do not want it to go off | ||
Appreciation versus apprehension | ||
Emotional influence of driving restrictions – Loss of independence | ||
Emotional changes | ||
A cautious transition to a new normal – Initial diagnosis: Anxiety and concern & physiological and psychosocial | ||
Reconstructing the unpredictability of living with an ICD – Losing control (Uncertainty associated with the triggering of the device) | ||
Living with an ICD is living while… continual uncertainty and waiting | ||
Bewilderment stemming from arrhythmia and ICD implant – Uncertainty about one’s own body & fear of arrhythmia ending my life | ||
Anxiety & apprehension – Fear of ICD firing with sexual activity | ||
Emotional consequences – Vulnerable/uncertain, anxiety, depression | ||
Quantitative Study | ||
PTSD, anxiety, depression, social desirability [37] | ||
QOL mental health score, mood states [45] | ||
QOL, mood states, ICD concerns for shock versus non-shock [16] | ||
QOL mental component, shock anxiety, and ICD acceptance [13] | ||
QOL, anxiety for men versus women [33] | ||
QOL, uncertainty [26] | ||
QOL, ICD concerns [39] | ||
QOL, anxiety, depression [46] | ||
QOL mental health subscale, anxiety, depression for men versus women [39] | ||
QOL, anxiety, body image [35] | ||
Depression, anxiety for shock versus non-shock [24] | ||
Shock anxiety, death anxiety, body image for young versus old women [25] | ||
QOL, depression, anxiety, impacts of ICD [36] | ||
Anxiety, somatosensory amplification for men versus women [40] | ||
Impacting Self-Identity, Self-Image & Self-Perception | Qualitative Study | |
A constant reminder: I know it’s there | ||
Seeking advice, making decisions | ||
Emotional influence of driving restrictions – Loss of independence & changed self-image | ||
Emotional changes | ||
A cautious transition to a new normal – Initial diagnosis: Anxiety and concern & physiological and psychosocial | ||
Bewilderment stemming from arrhythmia and ICD implant – Dissatisfaction with unforeseen results of ICD | ||
Needing Support & Maintaining Relationships | Qualitative Study | |
Empowerment – Receiving emotional and tangible layman support & informational and tangible professional support | ||
Isolation and vulnerability | ||
Being abandoned and still grieving | ||
Altered views on driving – Importance of network | ||
Experiences related to social life | ||
Familial relationships | ||
Reconstructing the unpredictability of living with an ICD – Losing control (Influence on the relationship with one’s partner) | ||
Reconstructing the unpredictability of living with an ICD – Lacking support (Lack of continuity and appropriate support from healthcare professionals) | ||
Reconstructing the unpredictability of living with an ICD – Seeking support (Managing emotions & seeking guidance about physical activity) | ||
Living with an ICD is living whilst… rethinking their relationship with their partner and becoming emotionally more distant | ||
Living with an ICD is living while… giving up some of their independence | ||
Living with someone | ||
Anxiety and apprehension – Partner overprotectiveness | ||
Quantitative Study | ||
ICD acceptance, shock anxiety, professional support [31] | ||
PTSD, shock anxiety, professional support [32] | ||
Anxiety, social support [21] | ||
Social support [24] | ||
Identifying Learning Needs | Qualitative Study | |
Empowerment – Informational and tangible professional support | ||
Seeking advice, making decisions | ||
Achieving adherence to driving restrictions – Information needs | ||
Patients’ experiences relating to receiving information/counselling from healthcare providers | ||
A need for information and sexual counselling – Provider relationships, Educational approaches & information for sexual counselling | ||
Developing Coping Strategies | Qualitative Study | |
Searching for meaning | ||
Incorporating uncertainty in daily life – Distracting oneself & re-evaluating life | ||
A cautious transition to a new normal – Strategies to manage life with an ICD: Be positive and live life to the fullest | ||
Living with an ICD is living while… developing strategies | ||
Living with an ICD is living while… transformed | ||
Developing strategies to adapt to changes arising in all areas of the recipient’s life | ||
Bewilderment stemming from arrhythmia and ICD implant – Dissatisfaction with unforeseen results of ICD | ||
Feel transformed | ||
Giving meaning to living with arrhythmia & ICD – Giving meaning to one’s illness & recognition of one’s disease | ||
Getting on with life – Positive interpreting | ||
Coping with the ICD | ||
Quantitative Study | ||
QOL, anxiety, depression, coping strategies [28] | ||
Spiritual well-being, anxiety, depression [22] | ||
Making Adjustments & Gaining Acceptance | Qualitative Study | |
Adaptability – Handling restlessness, tackling restrictions, & managing daily living | ||
A piece of cake: I do more than before | ||
Catch 22: I’d rather not have it | ||
Maintaining structure & routine as a way to maintain sense of self | ||
Incorporating uncertainty in daily life – Restricting activities | ||
Incorporating uncertainty in daily life – Accepting being an ICD recipient | ||
Achieving adherence to driving restrictions – Individual interpretations & Willingness to adapt | ||
Altered views on driving – Influence on driving behaviour & Future perspectives | ||
Experiences in the regular activities of daily life | ||
A cautious transition to a new normal – Caution, awareness and security: Daily life with an ICD | ||
A cautious transition to a new normal – Childbearing: Passing my disease to my children & financial concerns | ||
Reconstructing the unpredictability of living with an ICD – Losing control (Reduced physical activity) | ||
Reconstructing the unpredictability of living with an ICD – Regaining control (Being normal) | ||
Living with an ICD is living while… accepting the change | ||
Accepting changes | ||
Facing reality of arrhythmia, the ICD, and being able to continue life – Confirming and managing lifestyle activities & facing reality of the ICD and being able to continue life | ||
Varying interests and pattern of sexual activity | ||
Getting on with life Lifestyle changes – Resuming normal activities, not thinking about ICD, lifestyle changes & risk taking | ||
Physical consequences | ||
Quantitative Study | ||
QOL physical health score [45] | ||
QOL physical component [13] | ||
QOL physical functioning for men versus women [33] | ||
QOL physical and social functioning subscale, anxiety, depression for men versus women [39] | ||
QOL physical functioning [35] | ||
Planning for the End | Qualitative Study | |
Being part of an uncertain illness trajectory – Standing at a crossroads & progressing from one phase to another | ||
The physician is an authority – Feeling fine knowing nothing & criminal act to deactivate the ICD or refuse ICD replacement | ||
Quantitative Study | ||
ICD deactivation knowledge [29] |