Patients ‘acceptance’ of chronic wound-associated pain – A qualitative descriptive study

Sebastian Probst, Géraldine Gschwind, Louise Murphy, Duygu Sezgin, Peter Carr, Caroline McIntosh, Georgina Gethin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Chronic wound-associated pain negatively impacts the quality of life of individuals and their families. To date, little research exists that has explored collectively how individuals describe wound pain, strategies they use to manage pain, and the perceived effectiveness of such strategies. Therefore, qualitative, semi-structured interviews were carried out between June and August 2021 with 13 individuals to gain a deeper understand of the experience and impact of chronic wound-associated pain in this population. Data were analyzed following Braun and Clarke's approach for reflexive thematic analysis using MAXQdA®. Two themes and subthemes were identified. Theme 1 reflects participants' characterization of pain and how wound-associated pain affected their daily life and how they learned to accept it. Participants felt functionally impaired. In theme 2, participants described how they accepted to live with such a pain even though they received support to manage their chronic wound-associated pain, especially during the dressing-changes. Patients depended on their health care professionals and family support networks to cope with the pain. Coping with pain is exhausting contributing to poorer quality of life. Health care professionals should be aware of wound-associated pain during dressing changes. Patients recommended the need for further research on dressings and not drugs to manage pain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)455-459
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Tissue Viability
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Chronic wound
  • Experiences
  • Health care professional
  • Pain
  • Patient
  • Perspective
  • Qualitative
  • Strategies

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Patients ‘acceptance’ of chronic wound-associated pain – A qualitative descriptive study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this