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 [34, 49, 50] | ||
| ICD deactivation knowledge [29] |
QOL quality of life, ICD implantable cardioverter defibrillator