The Lived Experience of Older Adults With Recurrent Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Empirical Research Qualitative.
5 affiliations
- 1Multidisciplinary Team Clinic for Diabetic Foot, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- 2School of Nursing, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, China.
- 3Department of Geriatrics, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- 4Department of Endocrinology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- 5Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract
Aim
To describe the lived experiences and shared essential structure of recurrent diabetic foot ulceration among adults aged 65 years or older.Design
A descriptive phenomenological study.Methods
Seventeen participants were purposively recruited from a multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic in China. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from October 2025 to February 2026 and analysed inductively using Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results
Four themes were identified: (1) navigating recurrence: varied recognition, interpretations and responses; (2) pain and altered sensation: functional limitations and social participation; (3) living under the threat of amputation: distress, difficult decisions and acceptance and (4) relying on support while striving to preserve autonomy and dignity. The shared essential structure was continuing vulnerability after healing, alongside efforts to preserve control, autonomy and dignity.Conclusion
For older adults, recurrent diabetic foot ulceration was experienced as continuing vulnerability after healing, reshaping bodily confidence, everyday functioning, independence and future expectations.Implications for the profession and/or patient care
Care for older adults with recurrent diabetic foot ulceration should extend beyond wound management to assess recurrence recognition, sensory changes, pain, mobility and psychological distress, while supporting shared decision-making, rehabilitation, continuity of care and autonomy.Impact
This study identifies continuing vulnerability after healing, alongside efforts to preserve control, autonomy and dignity, as the shared experiential structure of recurrent diabetic foot ulceration in older adults, informing nursing and multidisciplinary care across settings.Reporting method
This study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.Patient or public contribution
Patients were not involved as research partners in the design or conduct of the study. Seventeen older adults participated in interviews, and three subsequently reviewed a summary of the themes and shared essential structure.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026lived,
title = {{The Lived Experience of Older Adults With Recurrent Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Empirical Research Qualitative.}},
author = {Shixiao Zhang and Wen Qin and Yanfen Fu and Yue Ming and Hui Fan and Zhe Liu and Zhijun Bao and Jiaojiao Bai},
journal = {Nursing open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/nop2.70941},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42950143},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Lived Experience of Older Adults With Recurrent Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Empirical Research Qualitative.
AU - Shixiao Zhang
AU - Wen Qin
AU - Yanfen Fu
AU - Yue Ming
AU - Hui Fan
AU - Zhe Liu
AU - Zhijun Bao
AU - Jiaojiao Bai
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nursing open
DO - 10.1002/nop2.70941
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42950143
AB - Aim To describe the lived experiences and shared essential structure of recurrent diabetic foot ulceration among adults aged 65 years or older.Design A descriptive phenomenological study.Methods Seventeen participants were purposively recruited from a multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic in China. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from October 2025 to February 2026 and analysed inductively using Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results Four themes were identified: (1) navigating recurrence: varied recognition, interpretations and responses; (2) pain and altered sensation: functional limitations and social participation; (3) living under the threat of amputation: distress, difficult decisions and acceptance and (4) relying on support while striving to preserve autonomy and dignity. The shared essential structure was continuing vulnerability after healing, alongside efforts to preserve control, autonomy and dignity.Conclusion For older adults, recurrent diabetic foot ulceration was experienced as continuing vulnerability after healing, reshaping bodily confidence, everyday functioning, independence and future expectations.Implications for the profession and/or patient care Care for older adults with recurrent diabetic foot ulceration should extend beyond wound management to assess recurrence recognition, sensory changes, pain, mobility and psychological distress, while supporting shared decision-making, rehabilitation, continuity of care and autonomy.Impact This study identifies continuing vulnerability after healing, alongside efforts to preserve control, autonomy and dignity, as the shared experiential structure of recurrent diabetic foot ulceration in older adults, informing nursing and multidisciplinary care across settings.Reporting method This study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.Patient or public contribution Patients were not involved as research partners in the design or conduct of the study. Seventeen older adults participated in interviews, and three subsequently reviewed a summary of the themes and shared essential structure.
SN - 2054-1058
ER -