Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of patients with wound healing by secondary intention after the removal of a thoracic drainage tube.
DESIGN: A qualitative phenomenological study.
SUBJECTS AND SETTING: After removal of the tube, patients who were attending a nursing clinic that provides WOC care to a population of around 1 million people in Suzhou, China, were invited to participate.
METHODS: Semistructured interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of data was performed using Colaizzi's 7-step thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Three major themes emerged from the interviews, namely, emotional stress response, impaired social function, and increased disease burden.
CONCLUSION: Patients with wound healing by secondary intention after the removal of the drainage tube perceived they experienced an emotional stress reaction accompanied by increased psychological and economic burden. They also experienced impaired social function. There is a critical need to develop health education plans for use during the pre- and postoperative periods to reduce emotional, social, and economic consequences associated with delayed wound healing.