How living with a leg ulcer affects people's daily life: a nurse-led study.
OBJECTIVE
This descriptive phenomenological study explored patients' experiences of living with a leg ulcer.


METHODS
Eight participants (five female and three male) were recruited from a secondary care leg ulcer clinic in a large UK teaching hospital. All had current venous leg ulceration, lasting between five months and 34 years. Data collection was via in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data categories were: symptoms; treatment; perceptions, emotions and coping strategies; and restrictions.


RESULTS
Leg ulcers have a significant impact on individuals' lives. The degree to which this occurs varies between each person.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients need consistent treatment that incorporates benchmarking. A support network to address the needs of those living with a leg ulcer should be considered. This study's findings should be promoted to raise awareness among health-care professionals, enabling them to provide more responsive care.
Rich
A
A
Queens Medical Centre NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK. anna.rich@mail.qmcuh-tr.trent.nhs.uk
McLachlan
L
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000379:methods; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D009812:Odorants; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012938:Social Perception; D006113:United Kingdom