The lived experience of having a pressure ulcer: a qualitative analysis

In this descriptive, qualitative, phenomenological study, the researchers explored the phenomena of the lived experience of having a pressure ulcer to determine the essential structure of the experience. The sample included 8 respondents: 4 individuals who currently had a pressure ulcer and 4 who previously had a pressure ulcer that had healed. Four respondents also had a spinal cord injury and 5 had surgical flap reconstruction. Respondents were asked to reflect and reply to the following statements: "Please describe your experience of having a pressure ulcer. Share all the thoughts, perceptions, and feelings you can recall until you have no more to say about this experience." From verbatim transcriptions of interviews, 7 themes evolved with related sub-themes. The themes that emerged were (1) perceived etiology of the pressure ulcer; (2) life impact and changes; (3) psychospiritual impact; (4) extreme painfulness associated with the pressure ulcer; (5) need for knowledge and understanding; (6) need for and effect of numerous, stressful treatments; and (7) the grieving process. In this paper, the essential nature of the experience of living with a pressure ulcer is presented. Pressure ulcers had a profound impact upon the subjects' lives, including physical, social, and financial status; change of body image; and/or loss of independence and control. Those with a Stage IV pressure ulcer and flap repair and/or those with a spinal cord injury experienced the grieving process in some form. Although the experience of having a pressure ulcer has similarities for each individual, each experiences it in a unique manner. Patients with a pressure ulcer with or without a spinal cord injury have significant needs in learning to cope and live with their condition.