Sammanfattning
Main message: The nurse’s challenge is through dialogue to gain insight into patients’ daily
lives and support them in seeing solutions rather than limitations. Individualised information results
in well-informed patients, who are empowered to take greater responsibility.
Methodology: Eight qualitative, individual interviews of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. The
resulting material was analysed using S. Kvale’s operational levels and D. Orem’s methods of
helping.
Findings:
The interviews demonstrate that the patients are:
* Passive and reliant on the nurse’s skills
* Given guidance and instruction, but fail to abide by this help
* Informed, but that the information does not make sense
* Capable of self-reliance once their perspective is addressed and valued
* Pleased to receive education, but that the education must be based on their own personal
premises, which entails individualisation.
Implications for the nurse: that the nurse adopts an autonomy-supporting approach, individualises
the information provided, and demonstrates confidence in, and respect for, the patients to empower
them in achieving self-reliance. An approach of this nature gives the patient’s foot ulcer the best
conditions for healing, while it also optimises the balance between daily life and disease.
In addition, the department’s written information materials for patients have been revised, and
greater focus is now placed on sharing knowledge with colleagues.