Improving Pathways Of Care For Patients With Venous Leg Ulceration
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving Pathways Of Care For Patients With Venous Leg Ulceration
IRAS ID
327662
Contact name
Mary Wells
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
Venous leg ulcers develop in four in every 100 people aged over 65. They occur when veins don’t work properly, and they are unable to do their usual job of carrying enough blood from the body back to the heart. This causes pressure in the legs, and after time the skin breaks down and leads to a wound (or ulcer) forming. Difficulty mobilising, social isolation, and an inability to work are examples of the many factors that contribute to the significant effect venous leg ulceration can have on a patient’s quality of life. Unfortunately, venous ulcers can take months or sometimes years to heal. Without proper treatment, 80% of patients will develop another ulcer at some point in their lives.
NHS guidance advises GPs to send patients for care in hospital if their ulcer doesn’t get better within two weeks of the patient first seeing them. In hospital, affected veins can be treated with a special procedure carried out by surgeons, which helps the ulcer heal. Unfortunately, the two-week mark for referral is often missed and many patients wait a long time to see a surgeon. As a result, patients live with the discomfort of ulceration for much longer than necessary.
As little is known about the pathway of care for patients with ulceration, this study will use an online survey to explore what healthcare services are currently available to provide care for patients with ulceration. Once this is complete qualitative research methods (interviews) will be used to explore patients' and caregivers' experiences of their leg ulcer management, to identify barriers and facilitators to early referral. Additionally, we aim to carry out interviews with healthcare professionals to explore their experiences of caring for and referring patients with leg ulcers to hospital and understand how the process could be improved.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0275
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion