Abstract
Objective: To develop a conceptual definition of quality of life (QoL) with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Background: Conceptual and operational definitions of QoL with an LVAD are lacking. Methods: A grounded theory method was used. Adult, outpatient LVAD recipients (n=11) participated twice in individual or paired interviews. Results: A conceptual definition of QoL while living with an LVAD was established as: "Being well enough to do and enjoy day-to-day activities that are important to me." Participants described 5 important life domains consistent with QoL literature: physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual/meaning. However, participants identified unique concerns not addressed by generic or heart failure disease specific measures typically used in the LVAD population. Conclusion: Existing generic and heart-failure specific QoL measures are not adequate for understanding QoL among LVAD patients. Cognition and spiritual/meaning domains were significant; these need inclusion for comprehensive QoL assessment in the LVAD population.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 32-40 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Heart and Lung: Journal of Acute and Critical Care |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding: Abbott-Northwestern Hospital Foundation (grant) and Bethel University (sabbatical for Dr. Sandau). Neither funding source performed data collection, analysis, or interpretation.
Keywords
- Conceptual definition
- Grounded theory
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
- Patient-reported outcomes
- Qualitative
- Quality of life (QoL)