Missed opportunities! End of life decision making and discussions in implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Heart and Lung, 2019, 48 (4), pp. 313 - 319
- Issue Date:
- 2019-07-01
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-s2.0-S0147956318306009-main.pdf | Published Version | 356.68 kB |
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© 2019 Elsevier Inc. Background: Recent guidelines highlight the need for clinician-patient discussions regarding end-of-life (EOL) choices prior to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Health literacy could affect the quality and quantity of such discussions. Objective: Our objective was to determine the association of health literacy with experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of the ICD at EOL. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used validated instruments to measure health literacy and patient experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of the ICD at EOL. Results: Of the 240 ICD recipients, 76% of participants reported never having discussed the implications of a future withdrawal of defibrillation therapy with their healthcare provider. Increased odds of choosing to maintain defibrillation therapy were associated with female gender and lower ICD knowledge. Conclusions: From patients’ perspectives, EOL discussions with providers were minimal. Most patients hold misperceptions about ICD function that could interfere with optimal EOL care, particularly for those with inadequate health literacy.
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