title: Evaluating the reasons underlying treatment nonadherence in VLU patients: Mishel's Theory of Uncertainty. Part 2 of 2.
abstract: Part one of this review discussed how self-efficacy is an appropriate health behaviour change model to encourage patients with healed venous leg ulceration (VLU) to undertake self-care activities which may help reduce the incidence of recurrence. However, it has been highlighted within the literature that some patients demonstrate little understanding about the aetiology of their leg ulcer, despite having received explanations from health care professionals. This knowledge deficit is a potential barrier to changing health behaviours. In the second part of this two-part review, the literature on this knowledge deficit will be reviewed together with a discussion on the potential implications this may have for healthcare professionals (HCPs) in attempting health behaviour change in this patient group. In order to offer a possible explanation for this knowledge deficit, an overview of Mishels' Theory of Uncertainty in Illness will be given and its potential relevance to VLU patients will be discussed.
authors: PhD, MSc, BSc(Hons), RN, Lecturer, University of Essex, Southend, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012008:Recurrence; D012648:Self Care; D035501:Uncertainty; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*