Krystina B Lewis1, Karen Harkness2, Amanda Hummel3, Jennifer Leung4, Jane MacIver5. 1. Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5 Canada; Affiliate Researcher, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, K1Y 4W7 Canada,. Electronic address: Krystina.Lewis@uottawa.ca. 2. Clinical Strategist, CorHealth Ontario, 4100 Yonge Street, Toronto, M2P 2B5 Canada; Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Nursing, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 4L8 Canada. 3. Masters' Student, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5 Canada. 4. Clinical Specialist, CorHealth Ontario, 4100 Yonge Street, Toronto, M2P 2B5 Canada. 5. Scientist Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research and Peter Munk Cardiac Center, University, Health Network, 585 University Avenue, Toronto, M5G 2N2 Canada; Adjunct Lecturer Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, M5S 1A1 Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Caregivers are critical to the recovery and management of patients with destination-therapy left ventricular assist devices (DT-LVADs). OBJECTIVE: To explore the needs and impacts of caregiving for patients with DT-LVAD relative to the various relationships caregivers navigate from the shared perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive secondary analysis. Patients with a DT-LVAD (n = 3), caregivers (n = 2), and healthcare providers (n = 13) from all DT-LVAD programs in Ontario, Canada were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. We used thematic analysis to identify, analyze, organize, describe, and report caregiver-related themes. RESULTS: Eighteen participants were interviewed. The needs and impact of caregiving for patients with DT-LVADs were characterized by connection with others (relational), and drastic and ongoing changes from normalcy within established and new relationships (dynamics). CONCLUSIONS: DT-LVAD caregivers' unique needs may be a result of multi-leveled and compounding relational dynamics within and across established and new relationships. These could be considered to inform the content of targeted support strategies.
BACKGROUND: Caregivers are critical to the recovery and management of patients with destination-therapy left ventricular assist devices (DT-LVADs). OBJECTIVE: To explore the needs and impacts of caregiving for patients with DT-LVAD relative to the various relationships caregivers navigate from the shared perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive secondary analysis. Patients with a DT-LVAD (n = 3), caregivers (n = 2), and healthcare providers (n = 13) from all DT-LVAD programs in Ontario, Canada were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. We used thematic analysis to identify, analyze, organize, describe, and report caregiver-related themes. RESULTS: Eighteen participants were interviewed. The needs and impact of caregiving for patients with DT-LVADs were characterized by connection with others (relational), and drastic and ongoing changes from normalcy within established and new relationships (dynamics). CONCLUSIONS:DT-LVAD caregivers' unique needs may be a result of multi-leveled and compounding relational dynamics within and across established and new relationships. These could be considered to inform the content of targeted support strategies.
Authors: Sarah Chuzi; Adeboye Ogunseitan; Kenzie A Cameron; Kathleen Grady; Lauren Schulze; Jane E Wilcox Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2021-07-26 Impact factor: 5.501