Securing life through technology acceptance: The first six months after transvenous internal cardioverter defibrillator implantation

Purpose: erstand the experience of living with a transvenous internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) during the first 6 months after implantation. : nded theory approach was used to gain an understanding of the antecedents, conditions, and consequences of the core process. g: dwestern community medical centers and patientsʹ homes within a 250-mile radius from the medical centers. : men and 14 men between 22 and 78 years of age, who had undergone a new transvenous ICD implantation within the last week. s: re 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. ations: g 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.