Assessing the Psychosocial Impact of the ICD: A National Survey of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Health Care Providers

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) provides a survival advantage over antiarrhythmic medications for patients with life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmias. However, the effect of ICD therapy on quality‐of‐life and psychosocial functioning are not as well understood. Health care providers (e.g., physicians, nurses) can serve as a valuable source of information related to these ICD outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate health care provider perceptions regarding: (1) the quality‐of‐life and psychosocial functioning of their ICD recipients, (2) the concerns or problems reported by ICD recipients, and (3) the degree of provider comfort in managing these concerns. The final sample of health care providers (n = 261) rated ICD recipients' global quality‐of‐life and psychosocial functioning, and specific concerns about health care, lifestyle, special population adjustment, marital and family adjustment, and emotional well‐being. With regard to quality‐of‐life, health care providers reported that the majority of ICD recipients were functioning better (38%) or about the same (47%) than before implantation. However, health care providers reported that 15% of recipients experienced worse quality‐of‐life postimplantation. Similarly, health care providers indicated that 10%‐20% of ICD recipients experienced worse emotional functioning and strained family relationships. Moreover, issues related to driving, dealing with ICD shocks, and depression were the most common ICD recipient concerns. Significant differences were noted between physicians and nurses/other health care professionals on a wide range of psychosocial issues. Health care providers generally reported the most comfort dealing with traditional medical issues (i.e., patient adherence), and the least comfort in managing emotional well‐being issues (e.g., depression and anxiety). These results suggest that routine attention to ICD quality‐of‐life and psychosocial outcomes is indicated for health care providers who care for ICD recipients.