What is it about?
Venous leg ulcers are a common and distressing condition that can have a significant negative impact on quality of life. Larval therapy (use of 'maggots') has been widely promoted for treatment of different types of chronic wounds, but little is known about what patients think about receiving this treatment. The aim of our study was to explore their views and experiences.
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Why is it important?
Our qualitative interview study allowed for in-depth exploration of the views and experiences of a diverse group of 18 patients. Findings revealed that most people were very willing to try larval therapy but their hopes and expectations that larval therapy would result in long-lasting improvement or cure of their ulcer were not borne out by their experiences.
Perspectives
Our study concurs with previous work that people are willing to accept larval therapy, but underlines the unrealistic expectations that patients may hold for a long-for cure for their leg ulcer, which can lead to feelings of disappointment or despair.
Ms Dorothy May McCaughan
University of York
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Patients' perceptions and experiences of venous leg ulceration and their attitudes to larval therapy: an in-depth qualitative study, Health Expectations, February 2013, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/hex.12053.
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