Supporting Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers in Self-care Monitoring: an Interview Study with Primary Health Care Professionals

Overview

Journal Scand J Prim Health Care

Specialty Public Health

Date 2024 Apr 27

PMID 38676568

Authors

Natali Johnsson

Cecilia Fagerstrom

Catharina Lindberg

Hanna Tuvesson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: This study described the experiences and perceptions of how primary health care professionals (PHCPs) support patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) in self-care monitoring.

Design: A qualitative approach with reflexive thematic analysis was used, with 24 individual qualitative open interviews.

Setting: Primary health care clinics and community health care in four southern regions in Sweden.

Subjects: Registered nurses, district nurses and nurse assistants who had experience of caring for patients with VLUs. In total, 24 interviews were conducted with PHCPs in Sweden.

Results: PHCPs have a vital role in promoting patient independence and responsibility, identifying needs and adapting care strategies, while also recognising unmet needs in patients with VLUs.

Conclusion: PHCPs actively monitor patients' self-care and establish caring relationships. They see a need for a structured primary health care work routine for ulcer management.

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