The Impact Of Implantable Smart Heart Devices On The Daily Life Of Their Carriers: Regaining A Sense Of Control Through The Formation Of A Technoscientific Illness Identity

Implantable smart heart devices (ISHDs), such as pacemakers or ICDs, are technologies used to support cardiac function, with medical information leaflets promising low impact and a higher quality of life. Yet, previous studies have shown that these devices do not only enhance hearts, but that the intimidate relationship between devices and bodies creates ‘everyday cyborgs’, whose hybrid bodies bring new complexities, vulnerabilities and interconnectivities. As carriers of ISHDs need to negotiate safe spaces and care for both bodies and devices in their daily lives, there is a need for studies on the ‘mundane’ practices and strategies of resilience of carriers. This study aims to explore how carriers of ISHDs learn to live with their devices, whilst their devices are learning to live with them. The research consisted of ten in-depth interviews with Dutch carriers of ISHDs in which these themes were explored. It shows how carriers of ISHDs manage complexities by framing their experience into a ‘narrative of uniqueness’, in which they explained that their case was unlike any other, which allowed and empowered them to 1) gain extensive knowledge on their bodies, devices and illness, which can be used to 2) challenge their doctors and manufactures and 3) negotiate safe spaces for their hybrid bodies.