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“Wounds Home Alone”—Why and How Venous Leg Ulcer Patients Self-Treat Their Ulcer: A Qualitative Content Study

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  • Mirna Žulec

    (Medical Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Poljanski nasip 58, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
    Study of Nursing, Bjelovar University of Applied Sciences, Trg. E.Kvaternika 4, Bjelovar 43000, Croatia)

  • Danica Rotar-Pavlič

    (Medical Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Poljanski nasip 58, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia)

  • Zrinka Puharić

    (Study of Nursing, Bjelovar University of Applied Sciences, Trg. E.Kvaternika 4, Bjelovar 43000, Croatia)

  • Ana Žulec

    (Polyclinic Marija, Kneza Mislava 2, Zagreb 10000, Croatia)

Abstract

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs), the most common type of leg ulcerations, have long healing times and high recurrence rates; reimbursement rules and a general shortage of nursing staff have put self-treatment into focus. The study aimed to investigate why and how patients with VLUs self-treat their ulcers. Methods: Patients with VLUs ( N = 32) were selected by criterion sampling for a multicentric qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed via inductive qualitative content analysis. Results: More than two-thirds of participants sometimes self-treated VLU and one quarter changed their prescribed treatment. Experiences were expressed through four themes as follows: (a) current local VLU therapy; (b) VLU self-treatment; (c) patient education; and (d) psychosocial issues. The main reasons for self-treatment were a lack of healthcare resources, reimbursement restrictions, and dissatisfaction with conventional treatment together with insufficient knowledge about the wound-healing process and possible side effects. No educational materials were provided for patients or caregivers. Many patients adopted homemade remedies. Conclusion: Patients with VLUs practice self-care due to limited healthcare availability, a low awareness of the causes of their condition, and the effects of therapy on VLU healing. Future educational intervention is needed to enhance self-treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirna Žulec & Danica Rotar-Pavlič & Zrinka Puharić & Ana Žulec, 2019. "“Wounds Home Alone”—Why and How Venous Leg Ulcer Patients Self-Treat Their Ulcer: A Qualitative Content Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:4:p:559-:d:206094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexandre M. Rodrigues & Pedro L. Ferreira & Carmen Ferré‐Grau, 2016. "Providing informal home care for pressure ulcer patients: how it affects carers' quality of life and burden," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(19-20), pages 3026-3035, October.
    2. Ann Van Hecke & Maria Grypdonck & Hilde Beele & Katrien Vanderwee & Tom Defloor, 2011. "Adherence to leg ulcer lifestyle advice: qualitative and quantitative outcomes associated with a nurse‐led intervention," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(3‐4), pages 429-443, February.
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