Almost Normal: Experiences of Adolescents With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2009
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of adolescents with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of 14 adolescents with ICDs using face-to-face, semistructured interviews. Six themes were identified: life interrupted; still the same, except; sometimes it's tough; it cuts both ways; unique joule; and living life regular. These findings suggest that nurses could make a significant impact on the lives of adolescents with ICDs by focusing their efforts away from viewing the adolescent through an illness lens and more toward a normalization lens.
Journal Title
Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing
Journal ISSN
1539-0136
Volume
14
Issue
2
First Page
145
Last Page
151
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1111/j.1744-6155.2009.00186.x
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