Effects of family-centered program on the specific quality of life of patients with a pacemaker: A nursing intervention study

Cardiac problem causes changes in different aspects of life in patients, including their activities of daily living (ADL). Because of the important role of family in caring for patient after pacemaker implantation, this study was done to evaluate the effect of family-centered empowerment model on ADL of patient after pacemaker implantation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, 41.3% of all deaths in Iran in 2005 were because of the CVD; this percent is predicted to reach to 44.8% by 2030.1-3 Arrhythmia has been reported responsible for a large burden of cardiac mortalities.4 Pacemaker implantation is the principal treatment of symptomatic bradycardias.5 Life of about 3 million people all around the world is dependent on the pacemakers and about 600000 new pacemakers are annually implanted.6 About 550 new permanent pacemakers are annually implanted in Iran.7,8 Moreover, the number of patients requiring cardiac pacemaker implantation is constantly increasing due to increasing life expectancy and advanced and developed technology of pacemakers.9,10 The statistics suggest that the electrical interventions which are used to treat the arrhythmias and heart problems have many complications for patients.6,11 The experience of multiple symptoms in these patients has caused intolerance of the activities that this also affects the patients' satisfaction and quality of life (QOT). The created limitations lead to problems in job and family responsibilities as well as the social life of the patients and cause social isolation, psychological problems, and depression, and, thus, change their QOTA12 QOT is an important and vital indicator which has multiple dimensions, including the physiological, functional, and existential aspects of people and is the main and important indicator to identify the effect of a therapeutic intervention on the health of the patient.6,11,12 van Eck et al. examined 818 patients with a pacemaker and found that the implantation of a pacemaker improved their QOL in comparison with the pre-implantation period, but it was lower than the overall population.13 The meetings after discharge are essential to give information to patients, train self-care methods to them, and respond to their concerns. Follow-up care also provides better communication between the treatment team members and the patients, increases the patients' self-confidence, and provides the opportunity to express their doubts and concerns.14 Improving the self-care b