The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Self-Care in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcers—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Although patients with venous leg ulcers are involved in ulcer management, little is known about why and how these patients self-treat their ulcers without direct supervision by health professionals. Yet patients’ knowledge of ulcer management can be important for achieving ulcer closure and/or preventing recurrence. This study thus investigates the effects of an educational intervention on knowledge of self-care among patients with venous leg ulcers, mainly on wound dressing practice, compression therapy, physical activity and nutrition. Methods and participants: This research was conducted in three outpatient hospitals in central Croatia. An educational brochure was made and distributed to patients; patients were surveyed about caring for venous leg ulcers before the brochure was distributed and after 3 months. Results: In total, 208 patients were involved in the study: 112 in the experimental group and 96 in the control group. The educational intervention increased awareness of compression therapy, knowledge of recurrence prevention, appropriate lifestyle habits, and warning signs related to venous leg ulcers. Conclusions: Patient education on illness and self-care is necessary to achieve positive effects in self-care knowledge. In this study, patients learned how to change dressings, learned how to improve their lifestyle, and were empowered to deal with their illness.

Effects of home‐based chronic wound care training for patients and caregivers: A systematic review

“…Thirteen of them were published in English, and the other 3 were published in Chinese. Eleven of the studies came from Asia (4 in China, 29‐32 3 in Indonesia, 33‐35 2 in Iran, 36,37 1 in Singapore, 38 and 1 in India 39 ), 4 from Europe (one each from Ireland, 40 The Netherlands, 41 Croatia 42 and Germany 43 ) and 1 from South America (1 in Brazil 44 ). The total number of participants with chronic wounds was 1622.…”

“…One study reported the participants' attitude toward compression therapy by self‐designed questionnaire and indicated that the educational intervention increased patients' awareness of compression therapy at post‐intervention follow‐up 42 …”

“…The study of participants' wound care knowledge was assessed by three studies, 30,40,42 two for venous leg ulcers (VLU), 40,42 and one for pressure ulcers 30 . The knowledge of venous leg ulcers that communicated with patients in interventions contained an explanation of the causes of VLU, method of compression therapy and wound dressing, how to exercise and position the leg, and the importance of foot hygiene by information leaflet or educational brochure.…”

“…In these mixed interventions, participants were taught to change wound dressing, implement skin and nutrition care, control blood sugar, change position/relieve pressure, identify risk factors, etc. The wound types of 4 studies from Europe were all VLU 40‐43 . Participants were provided with knowledge and skill training on wound dressing change, compression therapy, leg position and exercise, skin protection, etc.…”

Correlation between Generic and Disease-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaires in Patients with Venous Ulcerations: A Cross-Sectional Study Carried out in a Primary Health Care Setting in Brazil

“…Older age is inserted in this context due to the natural deficit of venous reflux observed with the aging process and the chronic diseases prevalent among older people [ 1 , 2 ]. Factors such as education and income can impact the development and evolution of VU, since they directly interfere with the individual’s level of self-care [ 20 ] as well as the financial capacity to fund the treatment of injuries, which usually requires substantial investment, depending on the technology used [ 21 , 22 ]. Therefore, we also analyzed whether sociodemographic variables could interfere with the correlations.…”