A Qualitative Study of Follow-Up Needs in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers Based on the Biopsychosocial Model

The aim of this study was to explore the follow-up needs of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, guided by Engel's biopsychosocial model.

Purposive sampling was used to recruit 17 patients with diabetic foot ulcers of Wagner grade ≥ 1. These patients had received care in the Endocrinology and Metabolism Department or the Wound Clinic of a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, China. Guided by the biopsychosocial model, individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted between April and July 2024. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Nine themes were identified. In the biological domain, patients reported needs for disease care and lifestyle modification. In the psychological domain, they highlighted the importance of emotional coping support and building trust with healthcare providers. In the social domain, patients expressed needs for personalised follow-up, equitable access to healthcare, financial support, community assistance, and management of family caregiving role conflicts.

This study identified biological, psychological, and social follow-up needs among patients with diabetic foot ulcers, highlighting the importance of holistic follow-up to promote recovery and improve quality of life after discharge.

Nurses should assess and address the biological, psychological, and social follow-up needs of patients with diabetic foot ulcers after discharge, providing tailored care to promote ulcer healing and prevent recurrence.

This study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

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