title: The lived experience of having a pressure ulcer: a qualitative analysis.
abstract: In this descriptive, qualitative, phenomenological study, the researchers explored the phenomena of the lived experience of having a pressure ulcer to determine the essential structure of the experience. The sample included 8 respondents: 4 individuals who currently had a pressure ulcer and 4 who previously had a pressure ulcer that had healed. Four respondents also had a spinal cord injury and 5 had surgical flap reconstruction. Respondents were asked to reflect and reply to the following statements: "Please describe your experience of having a pressure ulcer. Share all the thoughts, perceptions, and feelings you can recall until you have no more to say about this experience." From verbatim transcriptions of interviews, 7 themes evolved with related sub-themes. The themes that emerged were (1) perceived etiology of the pressure ulcer; (2) life impact and changes; (3) psychospiritual impact; (4) extreme painfulness associated with the pressure ulcer; (5) need for knowledge and understanding; (6) need for and effect of numerous, stressful treatments; and (7) the grieving process. In this paper, the essential nature of the experience of living with a pressure ulcer is presented. Pressure ulcers had a profound impact upon the subjects' lives, including physical, social, and financial status; change of body image; and/or loss of independence and control. Those with a Stage IV pressure ulcer and flap repair and/or those with a spinal cord injury experienced the grieving process in some form. Although the experience of having a pressure ulcer has similarities for each individual, each experiences it in a unique manner. Patients with a pressure ulcer with or without a spinal cord injury have significant needs in learning to cope and live with their condition.
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota College of Nursing, Grand Forks, USA.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Langemo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Melland
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires