“Doubtful Accepting”: A Grounded Theory Study of Living With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Publisher Pubmed



Dehghanzadeh S¹ ; Dehghan Nayeri N² ; Varaei S² Show Affiliations
Source: Nursing and Health Sciences Published:2018

Abstract

Heart failure is associated with low quality of life and a high mortality rate. There is limited information about patients' experiences of living with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In the present study, we sought to explore the process of living with CRT defibrillator. This qualitative study was completed from December 2014 to April 2016 using a grounded theory approach. Twenty semistructured interviews were held with 17 patients with heart failure. Data analysis was done via a previously-published approach. The core category of the process of living with the device is “doubtful accepting”. This process includes three sequential phases: losing integrity, attempting to cope with the device, and coexisting. The process takes place in a context of barriers and facilitators, and results in a wide spectrum of outcomes, from frustration to empowerment. Nurses' awareness of this process can help them provide higher quality care, strengthen facilitators and reduce barriers to the process, and enable patients to effectively use coping strategies. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd