Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Technology, Sydney, 2001. / Bibliographic references: leaves [304]-318.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Decker School of Nursing, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a reliable, cost-effective implanted device designed to terminate life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and prevent sudden death. The recent exponential increase in implantation rates emphasises the need for nurses, doctors and other clinicians to understand the experience of living with an ICD for patients and partners. Current knowledge of patient experiences is mostly derived from overseas studies of specific variables, including physical problems, psychosocial outcomes, ICD shocks and quality of life issues. Studies of partner experiences focus on psychosocial concerns. Using van Manen's (1990) hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this study describes the experience of living with an ICD for seven Australian patients and six partners. Experiential descriptions, obtained in tape-recorded conversational interviews, were subjected to three levels of analysis. The first descriptive analysis summarised individual experiences of living with an ICD. The second, thematic analysis phenomenologically described the collective lived experience of being a patient, and of being a partner. Each description identified a challenging and changing experience through the themes of Being Disrupted and Distressed, Reconstructing Life, Appreciating and Celebrating Life, and Accommodating the ICD. For the patient, various everyday interactions, events and activities meant either being able to trust the ICD as a reassuring protection or experiencing it as an inescapable intrusive object. For the partner, a trusting reliance on the ICD's protective security eased the vulnerability and onerous perceived responsibility for the patient's survival and well-being. Threats to the partner's restored sense of normality, security and hope occurred when the patient wanted the ICD removed or discontinued. The third hermeneutic analysis specifically explored how the ICD, as an implanted biomedical device, was perceived, embodied and comprehended by patients. This analysis disclosed the varied, ambiguous existential meanings derived from and accorded to the ICD's presence, power and potential. The interpretation concluded that the ICD was either embodied as a trusted and reassuring friend, or existentially rejected as an intruder that thwarted meaningful possibilities. Theoretical and practical implications of this understanding of living with an ICD included several recommendations for improving staff education, as well as practical interventions for informing and supporting patients and partners. A proposal for implementing these recommendations concluded with suggestions for future inquiries that would extend understanding of this increasingly common human phenomenon.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-161). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR39008

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a reliable, cost-effective implanted device designed to terminate life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and prevent sudden death. The recent exponential increase in implantation rates emphasises the need for nurses, doctors and other clinicians to understand the experience of living with an ICD for patients and partners. Current knowledge of patient experiences is mostly derived from overseas studies of specific variables, including physical problems, psychosocial outcomes, ICD shocks and quality of life issues. Studies of partner experiences focus on psychosocial concerns. Using van Manen's (1990) hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this study describes the experience of living with an ICD for seven Australian patients and six partners. Experiential descriptions, obtained in tape-recorded conversational interviews, were subjected to three levels of analysis. The first descriptive analysis summarised individual experiences of living with an ICD. The second, thematic analysis phenomenologically described the collective lived experience of being a patient, and of being a partner. Each description identified a challenging and changing experience through the themes of Being Disrupted and Distressed, Reconstructing Life, Appreciating and Celebrating Life, and Accommodating the ICD. For the patient, various everyday interactions, events and activities meant either being able to trust the ICD as a reassuring protection or experiencing it as an inescapable intrusive object. For the partner, a trusting reliance on the ICD's protective security eased the vulnerability and onerous perceived responsibility for the patient's survival and well-being. Threats to the partner's restored sense of normality, security and hope occurred when the patient wanted the ICD removed or discontinued. The third hermeneutic analysis specifically explored how the ICD, as an implanted biomedical device, was perceived, embodied and comprehended by patients. This analysis disclosed the varied, ambiguous existential meanings derived from and accorded to the ICD's presence, power and potential. The interpretation concluded that the ICD was either embodied as a trusted and reassuring friend, or existentially rejected as an intruder that thwarted meaningful possibilities. Theoretical and practical implications of this understanding of living with an ICD included several recommendations for improving staff education, as well as practical interventions for informing and supporting patients and partners. A proposal for implementing these recommendations concluded with suggestions for future inquiries that would extend understanding of this increasingly common human phenomenon.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-127). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR51759

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small medical device, implanted underneath the collarbone with wires leading from it to the heart. The device detects and terminates ventricular arrhythmias by delivering an electric shock, that otherwise would most likely lead to sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. The ICD is perceived as the 'gold standard' treatment therapy for patients at risk of sudden cardiac death resulting from fast electrical rhythms (Bleasdale, Ruskin, O'Callaghan, 2005). However, ICD recipients have reported high levels of psychological distress such as anxiety and depression and a reduced quality of life (e.g. clinical review by Sears, Matchett & Conti, 2009). This thesis describes the development of a brief psychological intervention for patients living with an ICD based on the Medical Research Council's (2008) guidelines. The first stage in the development of the intervention was a qualitative study. Thirtysix ICD participants (ICD patients and partner) were recruited in south Wales. Semistructured interviews were conducted with each participant separately. Thirteen of the patients had not experienced an ICD shock. Transcripts were analysed by thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) using a cognitive-emotional-coping framework. General findings revealed patients did not know how to regain normality after their ICD and highlighted common worries were identified. Accordingly, the intervention aimed to be a structured guide underpinned by cognitive behavioural theory. It aimed to address common worries and bridge the gap between hospital discharge and patient's 6-week follow up appointment. The intervention was tested using a pilot randomised control trial. Ninety-nine participants were randomised to an intervention or control group. Differences between groups at baseline were adjusted by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to control for differences at 3- and 6-months. Results revealed the intervention group reported improved levels of depression, increased levels of mild exercise and increased patient acceptance to the ICD compared to the control group at 6-months. The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of this intervention suggests that not only is it theory and evidenced based, but should be sustainable long term. The next stage would be to carry out a fully powered randomised control trial.

Thesis (M.Eng.). / Written for the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/05/13). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2010. / Title from PDF title page; viewed on May 26, 2010. Major professor: Lanny Griffin, Ph.D. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Engineering, with a Specialization in Biomedical Engineering." " 2010." Includes bibliographical references (p. ).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2006. / Description based on information viewed Oct. 3, 2006; title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-90).