The Patient's Perspective of Compression Textiles for Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment: an in-depth qualitative study

While a good deal is known about the patient’s lived experience of their venous leg ulcer(s), the same cannot be said for the patient’s perspective of the compression textiles used to treat their venous leg ulcers. This under-researched perspective is important in the field because a patient’s adherence to therapy, compliance with health professionals in the management of their chronic condition and the outcome of their leg ulcer journey may depend on their opinion. Exploration of the patient’s views on the products used in their therapy may also inform the future development of improved compression textiles.
To explore the patients’ perspective, a phenomenological approach was taken, conducting in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 19 people who had experience of venous leg ulceration currently or within the previous two years. The setting for this study was across two NHS Trusts in Northern England. The transcribed interviews were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged: faith in compression, living with compression and how life with compression might be better. While some of the findings support previous research in the field (such as the ubiquitous nature of pain in the patient’s experience and narratives), the focus on the patient’s perspective of compression textiles yielded new insights and information.
Some of these indicate a need for further research in specific areas. For example, a need to improve our understanding of individual differences in emotional response to compression bandaging. Information emerged that may be useful in guiding future, improved practice in the treatment and management of venous leg ulcers, such as the participants desire for increased autonomy in the management of their ulcerated legs.