Difficult Clinical Encounters in Chronic Wound Care: An Interview Study of Nurses' Experiences and Approaches
- 1Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy University of Witten/Herdecke Witten Germany
- 2Comprehensive Wound Center, Department for Vascular Medicine University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf Hamburg Germany
Abstract
Although difficult social interaction patterns are scientifically addressed in other medical fields, it is an under‐researched topic in wound care. A knowledge gap exists pertaining to what kind of interpersonal problems occur between patients with chronic wounds, their relatives and nurses. In an exploratory interview study, we analyzed 37 interviews with nurses from different settings to explore how they perceive and approach difficult encounters with patients with chronic wounds. A content analysis conducted with MAXQDA revealed three broad themes of difficult nurse–patient interactions. First, conflicts included aggression, violence, insults, arguments, unrealistic demands, discrimination, lying, complaints, and general unfriendly behaviour. Often, nurses function as a kind of outlet for patients' annoyance. Second, non‐adherence was associated with perceiving treatment as difficult. Third, difficult but non‐conflictual situations were also common, that is, various and multilayered issues which complicate treatment. In addition, an overview of what respondents considered an ideal wound care practitioner is provided. Interventions could target self‐care, nonviolent communication, and health literacy.
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BibTeX
@article{hackert2026difficult,
title = {{Difficult Clinical Encounters in Chronic Wound Care: An Interview Study of Nurses' Experiences and Approaches}},
author = {Benedikt Hackert and Ulrich Weger and Ewa Klara Stürmer},
journal = {International Wound Journal},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1111/iwj.71080},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.71080},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Difficult Clinical Encounters in Chronic Wound Care: An Interview Study of Nurses' Experiences and Approaches
AU - Benedikt Hackert
AU - Ulrich Weger
AU - Ewa Klara Stürmer
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - International Wound Journal
DO - 10.1111/iwj.71080
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.71080
AB - Although difficult social interaction patterns are scientifically addressed in other medical fields, it is an under‐researched topic in wound care. A knowledge gap exists pertaining to what kind of interpersonal problems occur between patients with chronic wounds, their relatives and nurses. In an exploratory interview study, we analyzed 37 interviews with nurses from different settings to explore how they perceive and approach difficult encounters with patients with chronic wounds. A content analysis conducted with MAXQDA revealed three broad themes of difficult nurse–patient interactions. First, conflicts included aggression, violence, insults, arguments, unrealistic demands, discrimination, lying, complaints, and general unfriendly behaviour. Often, nurses function as a kind of outlet for patients' annoyance. Second, non‐adherence was associated with perceiving treatment as difficult. Third, difficult but non‐conflictual situations were also common, that is, various and multilayered issues which complicate treatment. In addition, an overview of what respondents considered an ideal wound care practitioner is provided. Interventions could target self‐care, nonviolent communication, and health literacy.
SN - 1742-4801
SN - 1742-481X
ER -