Abstract:

Objective: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which are used in the treatment of fatal ventricular arrhythmias, have many life-saving benefits. On the other hand, it has negative effects in terms of physical, social and psychological aspects by commonly causing anxiety and depression. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of education and telephone monitoring on self-efficacy and shock anxiety in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation. Methods: 65 patients hospitalized for ICD insertion were randomly divided into intervention (n=33) and control (n=32) groups. The intervention group was given a training booklet prepared by one-on-one training about ICD. Telephone monitoring was performed once every two weeks for three months and then once a month. No intervention was applied to the control group. Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectation Scales, Florida Shock Anxiety Scale were applied in the third and sixth months after ICD implantation in both groups. Results: The self-efficacy scores at the sixth month were higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p=.03). There was no difference between the shock anxiety scores at 3 months (p=.58) and 6 months (p=.64) between the groups. Shock anxiety mean scores of both groups in the 6th month are lower than the mean scores in the 3rd month (p<.01). It was found that self-efficacy and outcome expectation scores decreased as shock anxiety scores increased. Conclusion: It was determined that the intervention increased the level of self-efficacy and did not make a difference in terms of and shock anxiety. It should be aimed to reduce shock anxiety and accompanying physical problems by supporting patients with various nursing interventions that will increase self-efficacy during adjustment periods.

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