Statistically significant relationships were found between uncertainty and QOL, but ICD knowledge was not significantly related to uncertainty or QOL. Younger recipients reported a lower QOL. Education, ejection fraction, number of ICD shocks since implantation, and number of months since implantation were unrelated to ICD knowledge, uncertainty, or QOL in these ICD recipients. It is important to evaluate ICD recipients' understanding of the information they receive and to determine what ICD knowledge, uncertainty, and QOL means from the patient's perspective to assist them in the transitional process of learning to live with an ICD.

Abstract

Focus on patient-centered care requires adaptation to patient perceptions according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM, 2001) report, Crossing the Quality Chasm. True patient-centered care necessitates congruence in patient and nurse perceptions of caring. Wolf et al.’s (2006) Caring Behaviors Inventory – elderly was administered to patients and nurses to determine differences in their perceptions of caring. There were statistically significant differences between patient and nurse ratings on several caring behaviors in specialty units. Since healthcare facilities assert patient-centered care is central to high quality and cost-effective care, it is critical to ensure there is congruency between patient and nurse perceptions of caring.

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