Experiences of patients living with chronic wounds

Abstract

In the light of the information above, it is clear that dealing with patients with chronic wounds is very complex. Care not only entails cleaning the wound or selecting the correct dressing, but also the psychological and spiritual support to these patients. Care should be taken to render holistic care in every aspect of treatment, from correct nutrition, assessment of anxiety, to dealing with their fears and questions, educating them, and choosing the correct products to promote wound healing. Nursing personnel providing wound care should be educated regarding the best methods to render the holistic support needs of the patient with 26 a chronic wound and in order to achieve this there should be guidelines in place to ensure effective support. As mentioned in Part1, the patient who is living with a chronic wound needs to be assessed properly and then treated in a holistic manner. Many factors are involved in wound healing, and along with these factors, the patient is faced with many emotions that should be taken into account when treating the wound. The wound is part of the patient and not just a 'hole' that can be seen in isolation. The wound care specialist nurse plays a vital role during the treatment of the patient, to ensure that the holistic approach is taken during the treatment. From the information and summary above, it is clear that the patient is dependent on the treating wound care specialists' knowledge and expertise in order to promote the positive outcome of the wound. The patient who is living with a chronic wound has many complex realities and dimensions. This ranges from the physical aspect to the social and spiritual themes that have been identified. A main focus that was not expected to surface so intensely during this research was the role that the professional nurse as wound care specialist played during the treatment of the participants. The presence of a chronic wound is a disrupting event for a patient, but still the focus was on the wound care specialist. This reinforces the theme of the need for holistic treatment of the patient instead of focusing on the 'hole in the patient'. The professional nurse as wound care specialist has a great responsibility on her shoulders. She should keep herself updated regarding new treatment, has to gain sufficient knowledge to effectively treat a chronic wound and to be a firm support structure for her patient as well as his/her family, friends and/or significant others.