title: The care process of diabetic foot ulcer patients: a qualitative study in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Purpose of this study is to clarify the care process for Iranian diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcer condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main question of this research was "How is the care process for diabetic foot ulcer patients and how do patients experience it?" This study was within the Grounded Theory method. Data collection was carried out until data saturation was achieved. Saturation was achieved after interviewing 11 patients, 4 physicians, one head nurse and one nurse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes emerged from this study, including: "disease management, disease experience and continuity of care". Each of these themes is consisted of different sub-themes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to describe the care process in Iranian diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcer disease. Knowing patients' experience and the manner of dealing with them once faced with foot ulcer condition could facilitate a comprehensive decision making by therapists and better recovery of diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. dehghann@sina.tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mansooreh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aliasgharpour
authors.forename: Nahid Dehghan
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Nayeri