The experiences of ICD patients and their partners with regards to adjusting to an imposed driving ban: A qualitative study

This paper describes the impact of an imposed medico-legal driving ban on a group of internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients and their partners, an area where there is little good quality research. A qualitative framework was adopted and involved using semi-structured interviews to elicit the experiences of seven patients and their partners about coping once discharged home. From the analysis of the fourteen interview transcriptions, five themes emerged which the patients and partners ascribed to the imposed driving ban. These included: feelings of resentment and anger; increased dependence on others; lacking confidence in driving; and imposed family sanctions when driving. However, relationship conflicts over driving was a key consistent theme and this was attributed to changes in driving role between patient and partner. The data would suggest that patients and partners might not fully appreciate the immediate consequences of the driving ban on their lifestyle and find the period of waiting before the ICD recipient is authorised to drive again difficult. Additionally, the experiences of the participants suggest that being banned from driving may be interwoven with aspects relating to altered self-image, loss of independence and social isolation. The importance of clinical staff providing co-ordinated support and adequately preparing patients and their partners for discharge is discussed in detail. Ethical considerations and implications for the future are also addressed.