Contribution of the Leg Club model of care to the well-being of people living with chronic wounds.
OBJECTIVE
Social support impacts well-being. Higher levels of social support encourage treatment adherence and aid healing in people living with chronic wounds. The Leg Club model of care harnesses social support mechanisms to improve patient outcomes. This study investigated whether social support mechanisms available through a Leg Club environment influenced well-being.


METHODS
Participants were community Leg Club members. Socio-demographic data was collected, and the Well-being in Wounds Inventory (WOWI) administered to assess 'wound worries,' 'personal resources,' and 'well-being'. Participants' perceived social situation, length of time attending a Leg Club, wound duration, and feelings about their physical appearance were also measured.


RESULTS
The subjects recruited (n=49) were aged between 50 and 94 years (mean=75.34, standard deviation=10.31). Membership of a Leg Club did impact well-being factors. Time spent at a Leg Club improved 'personal resources' over time. 'Perceived social situation' predicted key aspects of well-being, as did 'time spent attending a Leg Club' and 'feelings about physical appearance.' Social support and relief from social isolation were important aspects of Leg Club membership for participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Attending a Leg Club enhances well-being in people living with a chronic wound; social support has an important role to play in this relationship. Future research should consider the specific interplay of social support mechanisms of Leg Club, and other relevant wound-related variables to optimise patient well-being and treatment outcomes.


BACKGROUND
The Urgo Foundation funded this project. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Associate Dean, Education, University of Canberra, ACT, 2601.
D
D
Upton
Senior Research Fellow, University of Canberra, ACT, 2601.
P
P
Upton
Research Assistant, University of Canberra, ACT, 2601.
R
R
Alexander
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014945:Wound Healing
Leg Club; WOWI; social support; well-being; wounds