Patienters upplevelse av att leva med svårläkta bensår : En litteraturstudie

Sammanfattning

Background Chronic leg ulcers are a growing health problem and constitute a complex medical, nursing and socio-economic problem that affects patients' quality of life in several dimensions. Aim To describe patients´experience of living with hard-to-heal leg ulcers Method The study was conducted as a structured literature review with elements of the methodology used in systematic reviews. A total of 14 scientific articles of both qualitative and quantitative design were analysed with Friberg´s method. Results The results of the study show that leg ulcers affect patients in several ways. Pain significantly limited patients' lives, many patients chose self-isolation due to shame, and feelings such as fear and anxiety about the future emerged. The results also showed that the importance of support from family and healthcare was a clear resource. Thorough patient education increases the opportunity for patients to identify risk factors and early detection of chronic wounds. Conclusions Chronic leg ulcers affect patients' lives both physically, psychologically and socially. It is crucial for the patient's quality of life that healthcare professionals has a person-centered perspective and a holistic view that includes the patient's entire life.