"Talking Around It": A Qualitative Study Exploring Dyadic Congruence in Managing the Uncertainty of Living With a Ventricular Assist Device.

Background: Vital components of communicating goals of care and preferences include eliciting the patient and caregiver's definition of quality of life, understanding meaningful activities and relationships, and exploring wishes for care at the end of life. Although current literature suggests framing conversations regarding end of life through the lens of meaning and quality of life, there is limited literature exploring dyadic congruence surrounding these important constructs among patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) and their caregivers.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore congruence of VAD patient and caregiver perspectives regarding end of life, definitions of quality of life, and meaning in life while managing the uncertainty of living with a VAD.