Malodorous fungating wounds: uncertain concepts underlying the management of social isolation

Malodorous fungating wounds can exacerbate the social isolation of patients with palliative care needs through changes in patients' body image. There is a lack of consensus regarding the most effective management approaches for patients with malodorous fungating wounds. This appears to relate to the existence of different theoretical frameworks for understanding altered body image. This article explores the theories used to create frameworks that have been used for interventions with patients experiencing social isolation arising from altered body image. It argues that there is a need for health care professionals to appreciate the lack of consensus within the literature and to understand this in the context of the relationship between theory and research. The author offers research and clinical recommendations.