Facilitators and barriers to delayed medical-seeking in adults with pressure injuries: a qualitative study

This study aimed to: (1) explore factors associated with delayed medical consultation among patients with pressure injuries (PIs); and (2) provide a theoretical basis for formulating PI intervention strategies to curb injury progression and improve patients' quality of life. This was a qualitative descriptive study. Patients with PIs who had delayed seeking medical treatment, or their caregivers (n = 18), were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using NVivo. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) pressure injury awareness; (2) family support; (3) ability to seek medical care; and (4) medical resources. Barriers to timely care substantially outnumbered facilitators. The findings underscore the need for patient-centered, interprofessional education for PI prevention and management. Meaningful, needs-based interventions can improve health literacy and empower both patients and caregivers to engage in wound care. Increased investment in prevention and sustained public-awareness campaigns are essential to reduce delayed help-seeking and PI incidence. These results provide practical guidance for healthcare professionals and researchers seeking to enhance patient services and develop effective PI-prevention strategies.