Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a chronic condition often marked by complex comorbidity and self-care considerations. Person-centered care, emphasizing the patient's perspective, is essential to support effective management. A recent study in the Journal of Tissue Viability aimed to explore the illness trajectory of patients with VLUs to better understand their needs and challenges.

Using a qualitative approach, researchers conducted interviews with 12 patients (8 women, 4 men; average age 74 years) from a university hospital’s wound outpatient department.1 Thematic analysis, based on the Illness Trajectory Model, identified six key phases in the VLU experience¹:

1. "Accident" or "Mosquito Bite:" VLUs in this cohort were often triggered by minor injuries, with patients initially unaware of the severity.

2. Experiential Knowledge Reaches its Limits: Patients realized their self-treatment was insufficient as the wound worsened.

3. Seeking Professional Help: Medical intervention was sought when wounds did not heal.

4. Help from the Wound Clinic: Specialized care, including compression therapy, provided relief and improved outcomes.

5. Saying Goodbye to Normality: Patients experienced a shift in daily life, adapting to the chronic nature of VLUs.

6. Managing VLU in Everyday Life: Self-management (SM) skills were developed to address challenges, though often inconsistently or inadequately.

The findings highlighted that SM practices shaped by individual experiences rather than structured education. Many patients lacked awareness of VLUs as symptoms of underlying venous disease, leading to ineffective wound care. Promoting experiential learning and providing tailored education can enhance SM capabilities and improve outcomes.¹

This research underscores the importance of person-centered, needs-oriented education to empower patients with VLUs in their self-management journey and improve overall care effectiveness.

Reference

1. Schick R, Staub-Buset C, Vujic G, Lachappelle S, Panfil EM. "I was surprised that the veins were the cause" - The illness trajectory of people with venous leg ulcers: A qualitative study. J Tissue Viability. 2024;34(1):100837. doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2024.12.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39672707.