| The purpose of this study was to develop a further understanding of the variables leading to acceptance and distress of individuals following implantable cardiac defibrillator implant (ICD). The study was conducted at an outpatient cardiac clinic in urban Alaska utilizing 87 respondents with ICDs. A descriptive design consisting of a 35-item survey with the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey, Florida Shock Anxiety Survey, ENRICHD Social Support Inventory, and three open-ended questions was utilized. The results indicated that the FSAS scores in not-shocked respondents differed significantly from shocked respondents. ICD recipients living in Alaska experience higher shock anxiety and lower patient acceptance than individuals in previous studies. The occurrence of ICD shocks had a direct impact on anxiety levels of participants. The narrative responses also indicated that low levels of ICD shocks are well tolerated amongst the population, while increased number of shock lead to distress. |
