Spouses’ reflections on Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator treatment with focus on the future and the end‐of‐life: a qualitative content analysis

Abstract

Despite the partner's serious state of health; terminal illness or death and the role of the device was seldom discussed with healthcare professionals or the implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipient. Open and honest communication was requested as important to support coping with an unpredictable life situation and to reduce worries and uncertainty about the future and end-of-life.