Exploring the experiences of individuals with an insertable cardiac monitor: Making the decision for device insertion.

Background: Little is known about the decision-making process for insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) in those with suspected arrhythmias.

Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe how individuals make a decision to insert an ICM.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison. NVivo 10 was used for data grouping and patterns.

Results: Participants (N = 12) ranged in age from 41to 95. Most (n = 7) had the device inserted because of syncope or atrial fibrillation (AF), and others (n = 5) for cryptogenic stroke. Three categories emerged: pre-decision, definitive decision, and deliberated decision. Event symptoms, including physical, cognitive and emotional, and trust emerged as factors in decision-making.

Conclusions: Those who perceived their experience as life-threatening, trusted the healthcare provider and assented to the ICM insertion. Conversely, those who perceived symptoms as episodic, used other strategies to resolve symptoms prior to making the decision for insertion.