An intense and unforgettable experience: the lived experience of malignant wounds from the perspectives of patients, caregivers and nurses

Malignant wounds occur infrequently, but are typically described as devastating and overwhelming. However, there has been little formalised research, and the vast majority of existing malignant wound literature comprises reports of health care professionals from their management of the physical symp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International wound journal 2010-12, Vol.7 (6), p.456-465
Main Author: Alexander, Susan J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attitude of Health Personnel
Attitude to Health
Caregivers - psychology
Exudates and Transudates
Family - psychology
Female
Fungating
Humans
Male
Malignant wound
Malodour
Middle Aged
Morale
Neoplasms - complications
Nursing Methodology Research
Nursing Staff, Hospital - psychology
Odorants
Original
Phenomenology
Psychosocial
Surveys and Questionnaires
Terminal Care - methods
Terminal Care - psychology
Wounds and Injuries - etiology
Wounds and Injuries - prevention & control
Wounds and Injuries - psychology
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Summary:Malignant wounds occur infrequently, but are typically described as devastating and overwhelming. However, there has been little formalised research, and the vast majority of existing malignant wound literature comprises reports of health care professionals from their management of the physical symptoms. Few studies have investigated the lived experience from the perspectives of patients and nurses and none have investigated the experiences of lay caregivers caring for a patient with a malignant wound. As a result, there has been little mention in existing literature of the non physical issues associated with malignant wounds or how they might be addressed. The purpose of this study was to address this gap in knowledge by investigating the lived experience of malignant wounds from the perspectives of those living it. In‐depth interviews were conducted with patients, caregivers and nurses. The data were analysed thematically within a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to show four themes: (i) malodour; (ii) new mode of being‐in‐the‐world; (iii) still room for hope and (iv) enduring memories. Although this study confirmed previous findings that malodour was one of the worst aspects of malignant wounds, it was significant that the other three themes occurred in the previously largely overlooked psychosocial domain.
ISSN:1742-4801
1742-481X
DOI:10.1111/j.1742-481X.2010.00715.x