Office: Rawl 215
Phone: 252-328-6118
Clinical Referrals: 252-744-4400
Fax: 252-328-6283
E-mail: searss@ecu.edu

Mailing Address:

104 Rawl Building
Department of Psychology
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353

Education:

Ph.D., Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida (1995)
M.S., Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida (1992)
B.S., Psychology, University of Florida (1990)

Research Interests:

Dr. Sears is currently overseeing research projects conducted at East Carolina University and the University of Florida. These studies are examining:

• Shock Acceptance Strategies: Sedation in DFT Testing
• The Female Perspective: Women & ICDs
• Peri-Operative ICD Patient Education
• Pros and Cons of Receiving an ICD
• Psychosocial Adjustment of Young ICD Patients
• Acute Patient Response to ICD Shocks
• Patient Perceptions of ICD-OptiVol Technology in the Treatment of Heart Failure
• Sleep Quality and ICD Patients

Selected publications in peer refereed journals:

Sears, S.F., Matchett, M., & Conti, J.B. (2009). Effective management of ICD patient psychosocial issues and patient critical events. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 20, 1297-1304.

Sears, S.F., Vazquez, L.D., Matchett, M., & Pitzalis, M. (in press). State-of-the-art: Anxiety management in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Stress and Health.

Sears, S.F., St Amant, J., & Zeigler, V. (in press). Psychosocial considerations for children and young adolescents with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: An update. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology.

Passman, R., Kadish, A., & Sears, S.F. (2009). HRQL with defibrillator therapy or amiodarone in heart failure. New England Journal of Medicine, 360, 188-189.

Kirian, K.B., Sears, S.F., Shea, J.B. (2009). How to respond to an implantable cardioverter defibrillator recall. Circulation, 119, 189-191.

Click here for full curriculum vitae (.doc).