“Those Plates That Save Me”: Experiences of Italian Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

2020 ◽  
pp. 105477382096803
Author(s):  
Ivana Maria Rosi ◽  
Francesca Bombardieri ◽  
Daniele Steri ◽  
Mimma Sternativo ◽  
Stefania Rancati

This study aimed to investigate and understand the experiences and feelings lived by people with an ICD. Qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 16 patients, during the annual follow-up. A hermeneutical analysis of the interviews was carried out to identify the themes. Four main themes were classified: “My heart falls asleep,” highlighting a reduced awareness of the pathology and ICD installation; “But what is this thing. . .?” underlining the lack of information and fears related to the device and its functioning; “I cannot hug the microwave” which describes the changes brought about by the surgery; “And with this one I am alright for the rest of my life”, involving hopes and life expectations. This study highlighted the patients’ need for major support from health professionals while processing their new life conditions.

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 848-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willyane de Andrade Alvarenga ◽  
Giselle Dupas

OBJECTIVE: to learn about the experience of caregivers/mothers providing care to infants exposed to HIV through vertical transmission.METHODS: this qualitative study used Symbolic Interactionism as the theoretical framework. A total of 39 caregivers of children exposed to HIV in follow-up at a specialized service were interviewed. Data were analyzed through inductive content analysis.RESULTS: four categories were identified that report on the lonely experience of handling the child's antiretroviral therapy, mainly due to a lack of information or incomplete information; being attentive to required care, such as the use of prophylaxis for pneumonia, vaccines, and other practices restricted to the mother-child interaction; the desire to omit the HIV out of fear of prejudice and fear of the disease, considering future prospects.CONCLUSION: the HIV and the threat this infection may affect the child cause apprehension and feelings such as fear, guilt and anxiety in the caregivers. Healthcare workers need to work together with mothers so they are able to cope with demands and distress. Only then will the treatment to avoid vertical transmission be efficient and will mother and child be supported during the process, despite apprehension with the outcome.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 583-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Licia Ribeiro Cury Pavão ◽  
Elerson Arfelli ◽  
Adilson Scorzoni-Filho ◽  
Anis Rassi ◽  
Antônio Pazin-Filho ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942199691
Author(s):  
Gabriela DeVries ◽  
Megan Rudolph ◽  
Howard David Reines ◽  
Philip E. Zapanta

Objectives: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has guidelines on assessing surgical qualifications based on experience. Attending surgeons have various assumptions on how their trainees learn and acquire surgical skills. This study primarily investigates the resident’s perspective on gaining experience and achieving competency in thyroid surgical procedures. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was designed to derive themes that discuss the acquisition of competency in thyroid surgery. After IRB approval, data was collected from 2012 to 2014 at 4 academic centers in the Washington, DC area. Fourteen chief residents specializing in either general surgery or otolaryngology were interviewed until saturation was achieved. These semi-structured interviews were transcribed and broken up into codes utilizing Moustakas’ analysis. A comprehensive list of master themes in regards to achieving competency in thyroid surgery was developed. A follow up survey of the surgeons was undertaken at 5 years to determine if the perceptions during residency persisted in practice. Results: Surgical specialty residents experience and learn thyroid surgery in 5 learning themes: 1. Self—directed learning is significant during residency. 2. Repetition with graduated autonomy is key. 3. Effective mentors are competent surgeons who challenge residents and use positive teaching techniques. 4. Residents employ active learning through the “see one, do one, teach one” philosophy. 5. Learning from complexity is of importance to residency training. After several years in practice, the most important theme in learning after residency was repetition of cases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates how residents progress in approaching competency in thyroid surgery. Adult learning strategies are preferred, and programs should incorporate tailored techniques to meet the individual needs of the residents. Perceptions of what is most important shifted in long-term follow up. Further study is needed to assure competency in residency and in practice.


Heart Rhythm ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. S304-S305
Author(s):  
Michael R. Gold ◽  
Mark P. Miller ◽  
Johan D. Aasbo ◽  
Raul Weiss ◽  
Martin C. Burke ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Barbara Dominik ◽  
Mitkowski Przemyslaw ◽  
Wojciech Zorawski ◽  
Ilona Kowalik ◽  
Adam Ciesielski

IntroductionImplantable cardioverter defibrillators register various types of arrhythmias. Thus they can be exploited to better identify patients with atrial fibrillation episodes and increase the proportion of patients who may benefit from implementation of pharmacological prophylaxis of thromboembolic events, most of which it turns out are asymptomatic.Material and methodsAssessment of the frequency, symptoms and predisposing factors for the occurrence of atrial fibrillation episodes in patients with implanted ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) and CRT-D (cardiac resynchronisation therapy with defibrillator) based on the analysis of intracardiac electrocardiograms (IEGM) records. The study included 174 consecutive outpatient cases with heart failure, sinus rhythm and Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator and Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy with Defibrillator. Control visits with analysis of IEGM records occurred every three months. During mean follow-up of 20 months, 901 visits were carried out. 147 patients had at least one year of follow-up.ResultsAtrial fibrillation episodes in the study group occurred in 54 (31.0%) of patients and 71.4% were asymptomatic. Predisposing factors were: history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (37.0% vs 13.3%, p ˂ 0.001), atrioventricular conduction abnormalities (42.6% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.002), intraventricular conduction abnormalities (59.3% vs 40.8%, p = 0.02) and more severe mitral regurgitation (7.4% vs 0.8%, p = 0.04). Chronic renal disease was a risk factor for death in the study group. No stroke occurred during the study.ConclusionsEpisodes of paroxysmal AF in patients with systolic heart failure and implanted cardioverter-defibrillator systems are quite common. The majority of the episodes recorded in the study were asymptomatic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phumudzo Raphulu ◽  
Modjadji Linda Shirindi ◽  
Mankwane Daisy Makofane

Caring for children with cerebral palsy presents numerous circumstances which may contribute to mothers’ inability to cope with the demands of meeting their children’s needs. A qualitative study supported by explorative, descriptive and contextual designs was undertaken. Purposive and snowball sampling facilitated the identification of twelve participants who were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The enquiry was based on the ecosystems approach. Thematic data analysis was followed through Tesch’s eight steps and Guba’s model was used for data verification. The findings highlighted the necessity to enhance the psycho-social functioning of mothers through collaboration of social workers, health professionals and various organisations.


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