TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of wearing compression hosiery and the use of assistive products for donning and doffing
T2 - A descriptive qualitative study into user experiences
AU - Hagedoren-Meuwissen, Edith
AU - Roentgen, Uta
AU - Zwakhalen, Sandra
AU - van der Heide, Loek
AU - van Rijn, Marie Josee
AU - Daniëls, Ramon
N1 - Funding Information:
This qualitative study was conducted in preparation of a cost-effectiveness study on an optimized provision process of assistive products for donning and doffing compression hosiery. The cost-effectiveness study is funded by ZonMw, project number 10310042110001. \u201CZonMw programs and funds research and innovation in health, healthcare and well-being, encourages the use of this knowledge and highlights knowledge needs.\u201D (https://www.zonmw.nl/en) The grant was awarded to the organizations involved, rather than to individual researchers. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. We would like to acknowledge several people: All of the participants for candidly sharing their experiences; Lymfoedeem.nl, Harteraad, Ron van Bekkum, Suze van Beusekom, and Robert Meinders for their help in recruiting participants; Tessa, Iris, and Kirsten for transcribing the interviews.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Hagedoren—Meuwissen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
PY - 2024/12/1
Y1 - 2024/12/1
N2 - This qualitative study aimed to describe users’ experiences and needs related to wearing, donning, and doffing compression hosiery, and the provision process of compression hosiery and associated assistive products for donning and doffing. Adults who have been advised to wear compression hosiery participated in semi-structured interviews. Existing frameworks about the provision process and acceptance of assistive technology guided the topic list. The interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis. After 19 interviews, data saturation was reached. Three main themes were revealed: (1) becoming and being a compression hosiery wearer (or not), (2) wearing compression hosiery, and (3) donning and doffing compression hosiery. In cases of acute conditions, the participants reported feeling overwhelmed when they were first prescribed compression hosiery. In contrast, those with long-term complaints felt relieved. Participants considered advantages and disadvantages and then decided whether to wear compression hosiery. Despite mentioned beneficial effects from wearing compression hosiery, participants had to cope with a range of discomforts, including pinching, straining, sagging, and heat. Additionally, participants had difficulties with the appearance, and often tried to hide the compression hosiery. They mentioned problems with donning and doffing, which can result in dependency of home or informal care, which stopped some participants from wearing. In general, participants were not aware of the full range of assistive products for donning and doffing, but were interested in them. In conclusion, wearing compression hosiery has a large impact on a person’s life because of its lack of comfort, unattractive appearance, and possible loss of independence through the need of donning and doffing support. These are expressed reasons for non-adherence, in addition to a lack of understanding of the importance of wearing and the consequences of not wearing compression hosiery. Easy-to-find independent information and more attention to donning and doffing during the fitting appointment of compression hosiery are recommended.
AB - This qualitative study aimed to describe users’ experiences and needs related to wearing, donning, and doffing compression hosiery, and the provision process of compression hosiery and associated assistive products for donning and doffing. Adults who have been advised to wear compression hosiery participated in semi-structured interviews. Existing frameworks about the provision process and acceptance of assistive technology guided the topic list. The interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis. After 19 interviews, data saturation was reached. Three main themes were revealed: (1) becoming and being a compression hosiery wearer (or not), (2) wearing compression hosiery, and (3) donning and doffing compression hosiery. In cases of acute conditions, the participants reported feeling overwhelmed when they were first prescribed compression hosiery. In contrast, those with long-term complaints felt relieved. Participants considered advantages and disadvantages and then decided whether to wear compression hosiery. Despite mentioned beneficial effects from wearing compression hosiery, participants had to cope with a range of discomforts, including pinching, straining, sagging, and heat. Additionally, participants had difficulties with the appearance, and often tried to hide the compression hosiery. They mentioned problems with donning and doffing, which can result in dependency of home or informal care, which stopped some participants from wearing. In general, participants were not aware of the full range of assistive products for donning and doffing, but were interested in them. In conclusion, wearing compression hosiery has a large impact on a person’s life because of its lack of comfort, unattractive appearance, and possible loss of independence through the need of donning and doffing support. These are expressed reasons for non-adherence, in addition to a lack of understanding of the importance of wearing and the consequences of not wearing compression hosiery. Easy-to-find independent information and more attention to donning and doffing during the fitting appointment of compression hosiery are recommended.
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0316034
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0316034
M3 - Article
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 19
JO - PLOS ONE
JF - PLOS ONE
IS - 12
M1 - e0316034
ER -