Brief Psychosocial Interventions for ICD Patients & Their Families

Wayne M. Sotile, Ph.D. and Samuel F. Sears, Ph.D.

The introduction of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) led to a revolution in the treatment of patients with potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Research and clinical experience demonstrate that ICDs save lives and can support a high quality of life; nonetheless, ICD patients and their loved ones must cope with the challenges of adjusting to life after ICD implantation. To date, few materials have been created to support the healthcare providers who work on the front lines of delivery of care and who are charged with the responsibility of empowering ICD patients to lead the fullest lives possible.

The You Can Make a Difference program is a reference tool that has been developed to fill this void. These materials provide a model for understanding the psychosocial challenges ICD patients face and advice about what to do to help patients and their families live with confidence and optimism. Our primary goal is to clarify the ways in which professionals working in today's busy healthcare environment can take a relatively short amount of time to offer education and support to their patients. Indeed, the brief psychosocial interventions outlined herein can make a critical difference in optimizing the quality of ICD patients' lives.

Information is drawn from three sources:

1) Practical lessons and case studies gleaned from our collective 30 years of clinical experience working with the psychological needs of patients recovering from cardiac surgery and ICD implantation;

2) A comprehensive review of the literature regarding psychosocial aspects of recovery from ICD implantation; and

3) Information from our recent national survey of ICD patients, their families, and the healthcare providers who take care of them.

This brochure provides a summary of the You Can Make a Difference  chapters. The complete You Can Make a Difference program  consists of:

• Manual (10 chapters)
• Supporting patient materials
• Three audiotapes

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Please contact your local Medtronic representative about how to order these materials.

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