Quality of life in pacemaker patients from a nursing perspective

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe quality of life (QoL) in pacemaker patients based on a nursing perspective. The questions at issue were how these individuals assessed their QoL in general and also with respect to sex, age, civil status and occupation. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a health care area in southern Sweden with 310000 inhabitants. A sample of pacemaker patients (n=182) entered into the study through a random selection of every fourth person. The results show that the total QoL for these pacemaker patients was acceptable. A poorer QoL was found with regard to physical health, the possibility of influencing one's own situation, lifestyle, health care resources and sociocultural orientation. Men, those who were cohabiting, white-collar workers, managers and those 64 years of age or younger assessed their QoL as higher. By using Orem's self-care theory, information, support and education can be carried out in such a way that nursing care affects the entire QoL in pacemaker patients. Measures should be taken on behalf of women, those living alone, those who are oldest and those who are blue-collar workers, all of whom have a lower QoL.