Living with a chronic leg ulcer: an insight into patients' experiences and feelings

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to ascertain patient need and help health-care professionals to understand the effects of chronic leg ulceration from a patient's perspective. METHOD: A qualitative grounded theory approach was used. A purposeful sample of eight participants (six females and two males) was selected. All were under the care of a district nurse and had over a year's history of venous leg ulceration. Data were collected by interview. RESULTS: Five major categories developed, relating to the 'physical experience', 'loss of control', 'vision of the future', 'carer's perspective' and 'health-care professional and patient relationship'. CONCLUSION: Although the physical and psychological effects of leg ulceration featured prominently in this study, these were heavily influenced by the relationship between the participant and the health-care professional.