ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Pain is a common symptom in venous ulcer patients and should be controlled. Knowing the strategies used by patients and offering new pain control possibilities may be effective means to improve assistance. This study aimed at identifying personal pain relief strategies used by venous ulcer patients.
METHODS:
This is a qualitative research including 14 venous ulcer patients treated in the angiology ambulatory of a teaching hospital in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. Data were collected in the months of January and February 2013 by means of semi-structured interviews and data were evaluated by content analysis.
RESULTS:
Strategies used by participants were: self-treatment, search for health service and religious support for pain relief. Reports suggest that patients have not received guidance with regard to venous ulcers pain management and tried to reach pain relief by their own methods.
CONCLUSION:
Participants of the study have reported using simple, however limited, strategies for pain relief, indicating a gap in the assistance offered to such patients.
Keywords:
Chronic pain; Nursing; Venous ulcer