title: Iranian Patients' Experiences of the Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator Device Shocks: a Qualitative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is a valuable treatment for the patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. In this method, after diagnosis of pathological cardiac rhythms, shock is automatically applied to normalize the rhythms. Shock is discharged when the patients are conscious, but the patients' experiences of shock have remained unknown. Thus, this study aimed to identify and describe the patients' experiences of shocks received from ICD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present qualitative study was conducted through thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews on 9 patients mean age 41.55 (1.57) with ICD from November 2013 to July 2014. Data analysis was also performed simultaneously using constant comparative analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, two main themes, namely "with a parachute for life" and "Faced with nuisance", were obtained representing the patients' experiences regarding ICD shock. With a parachute for life included subthemes, such as "Rebirth", "Comforter and healing", and "Life assurance". In addition, "Faced with nuisance" consisted of 2 subthemes of "Discomfort in moments of shock" and "Displeasure after shock".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided a basis for evaluation of patients nursing after discharge. By identification of the patients' experiences regarding shock, the present study can help the professional health staff to efficiently play their roles and provide patients with holistic care. It can also be effective in designing behavioral and cognitive interventional programs to change the patients' attitude and promote their adaptation with their conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Nilofar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pasyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Farkhondeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rakhshan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nikoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Nursing and Management, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navab
keywords: Arrhythmias; Cardiac; Defibrillators; Implantable; Qualitative research