Abstract
Heart failure is a common life-limiting disease. A destination therapy for people who will not have a heart transplant is a left ventricular assist device. To discover how patients who have a left ventricular assist device for destination therapy make decisions about their healthcare after implantation of the device. A descriptive qualitative design with semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 11 participants who are living with a left ventricular assist device for destination therapy. People with a left ventricular assist device felt they had 'no choice' when making decisions about their healthcare. Engaging with patients to contemplate present and future healthcare decisions is a complex process that includes cognitive processes within the patient. Clinicians need to be aware that a gap may occur between what is said and what is heard in communication.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
