abstract: Government policy is now directed towards increasing patient involvement in the management of chronic conditions. This study used a grounded theory approach to investigate the perceptions of patients and carers. The purposive sample consisted of six women and two men who had suffered from venous leg ulceration for more than one year. All were under the care of a district nurse. General categories which emerged from the data included pain, sleeplessness, disappointments, lack of understanding and low self-esteem. It was not originally intended to include carers in the study, but some patients requested their inclusion. A theme expressed by all carers was receiving conflicting advice from healthcare professionals. 58 references.
authors.affiliation: At Homerton College, Cambridge School of Health Studies.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams