Chronic venous leg ulcers: effect of a community nursing intervention on pain and healing.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness of a new community nursing model of care for clients with chronic leg ulcers in terms of levels of pain and ulcer healing.


METHODS
A randomised controlled trial comparing the new model of care with standard community nursing care was conducted with a sample of 56 clients with chronic venous leg ulcers, 28 clients in the intervention group and 28 in the control group. Data were collected on admission to the study and at 12 weeks from admission.


RESULTS
Significant improvements in levels of pain and ulcer healing were found in the intervention group receiving the new model of care.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this study have implications for health professionals providing care for clients with chronic leg ulcers.
Edwards
Helen
H
School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. h.edwards@qut.edu.au
Courtney
Mary
M
Finlayson
Kathleen
K
Lindsay
Ellie
E
Lewis
Coroline
C
Shuter
Patricia
P
Chang
Allan
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011793:Queensland; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D014945:Wound Healing