Page 229 - Psychology of Wounds and Wound Care in Clinical Practice ( PDFDrive )

204 Chapter 8. Family, Friends and Social Support

healing pain and functional abilities of those with chronic
venous leg ulcers. Sixty-seven participants were referred for
care in the community, these patients were randomised to
®
either the ‘Lindsay Leg Club’ model of care or to home
visits. Data was collected at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks. Results
identified that those who received care under the ‘Leg Club’
model had significant outcome improvements in quality of
life, morale, self-esteem, healing, pain and functional ability.
This suggests that the ‘Lindsay Leg Club’ Model of care has
the potential to improve the well-being of those with chronic
leg ulcers.
Overall, the ‘leg club’ environment may encourage an
improved motivation for compliance to treatment, as patients
may be able to see the direct positive effects of the treatment
on others attending. As well as this the sharing of information
among members attending the ‘leg club’ of how to overcome
difficulties, such as increases in exudate or malodour, may
improve compliance to treatment. ‘Leg clubs’ have also
shown to provide significant costs for health care providers,
provide holistic care for patients, a forum for health promo-
tion and education and an accessible setting for opportunistic
early detection of wounds and their treatment (Lindsay
2004 ). Community ‘Leg clubs’ may also have the propensity
to develop new ways to deliver evidence-based practise in
partnership with patients and colleagues (Lindsay 2013 ).
It has been reported that when leg ulcers are treated at
community based ‘leg clubs’ healing times appear to be
reduced, and therefore suggesting that management of psy-
chosocial factors as well as effective evidence based treat-
ment are effective to promote successful wound healing and
prevent recurrence. A small number of evaluations have been
completed to determine the effectiveness of ‘leg clubs’, for
instance. Leg Clubs provide a space for social activities and
social engagement with separate areas for wound care treat-
ment. In this way individuals can get their treatment whilst
being able to communicate and interact with others.
Despite the positive case studies and small reports (e.g.
Lindsay 2013 ; Shuter et al. 2011 ) there is little evidence from