We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Lived experiences of life with a leg ulcer - a life in hell.
- Authors
Lernevall, Lina S. D.; Fogh, Karsten; Nielsen, Camilla B.; Dam, Wilja; Dreyer, Pia S.
- Abstract
Background Little is known about patient lived experience with arterial or mixed leg ulcers. Due to the lack of knowledge and the increasing focus on implementation of patient perspectives, this study was conducted. Aim This study investigates how patients suffering from arterial or mixed leg ulcers experience their everyday. Methods Six qualitative life-interviews were conducted: one focus group interview and five semi structured interviews. Data was analysed with Pia Dreyer's Paul Ricoeur-inspired method, following three steps: naive reading, structural analysis and critical analysis and discussion. Results Following themes are discussed in the manuscript. The essence of the lived experience is captured in the overall theme: a life with a leg ulcer - a life in hell. This overall finding derived from four themes describing the influence on everyday life: constant pain - without the possibility of relief, an eternal battle against the ulcer - to survive, a state between despair and hope and the ulcer controlled everyday life. Conclusion Patients consider living with an arterial or mixed leg ulcer as living a life in hell. Patients are in an existential crisis and would rather die than live the rest of their lives with a leg ulcer. Given their low quality of life and general unhappiness, more needs to be done to help these patients.
- Publication
EWMA Journal, 2017, Vol 17, Issue 1, p15
- ISSN
1609-2759
- Publication type
Article