Qualitative study on experiences reported by people with complex wounds In Primary Health Care.

Area of Science:

• Health Psychology
• Clinical Qualitative Research

Background:

• Chronic wounds significantly impact patients' lives beyond physical discomfort.
• Effective emotional management is vital for patients dealing with long-term health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore subjective meanings and emotions associated with chronic wounds.
• To identify elements crucial for patients' emotional management in chronic wound care.

Main Methods:

• Clinical-qualitative approach with in-depth individual interviews.
• Utilized a semi-structured script for data collection.
• Analyzed transcribed interviews using the "Seven Steps" technique with a health psychology framework.

Main Results:

• Identified three key themes: distress beyond physical pain, patient-professional communication, and religiosity as a coping mechanism.
• Eight interviews with patients treated in Family Health Units provided rich qualitative data.
• Subjective experiences significantly influence patients' ability to manage their condition.

Conclusions:

• Living with chronic, difficult-to-heal wounds negatively affects treatment adherence and self-care practices.
• Addressing patients' emotional and psychological needs is essential for improving outcomes in chronic wound management.