Úlceras por pressão: perceção dos familiares acerca do impacto emocional e custos intangíveis

Pressure ulcers are a problem with great relevance for patients who suffer from them and for their relatives. The emotional impact of pressure ulcers is increased by the associated material and non-material costs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the emotional impact of pressure ulcers for patients and families, and also to determine their non-material costs. A qualitative study was developed within a phenomenological approach; content analysis allowed us to identify emotions and feelings, needs, support resources and perceived care provided by nurses. The results highlight the relevance of suffering due to pressure ulcers and their impact on material and non-material costs. The main conclusions underline that suffering related to pressure ulcers needs to be seen against a more global framework of life and disease, with relevant costs both for the patient and for their relatives. In addition, considering that nurses are the health professionals with and the closest contact with both patients and families, the results emphasize the contribution that nurses can give in order to address and help patients and relatives to overcome the suffering that this kind of situation and human experience entails.