Securing life through technology acceptance: the first six months after transvenous internal cardioverter defibrillator implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the experience of living with a transvenous internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) during the first 6 months after implantation.


METHODS
A grounded theory approach was used to gain an understanding of the antecedents, conditions, and consequences of the core process.


METHODS
Two midwestern community medical centers and patients' homes within a 250-mile radius from the medical centers.


METHODS
Ten women and 14 men between 22 and 78 years of age, who had undergone a new transvenous ICD implantation within the last week.


RESULTS
The core process that described the experience of living with a transvenous ICD during the first 6 months after implantation was the process of "securing life through technology acceptance." This core process was characterized by three major categories: choosing life with technology, integrating technology into life, and living life through technology.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing interventions related to individualized assessment, education, and counseling are warranted to facilitate patient and family understanding and to plan for the cyclic process involved in integrating a transvenous ICD into their lives. Directions for further research are provided.
Burke
L J
LJ
St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53201-2901, USA.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D008875:Middle Aged