A Qualitative Study Examining the Application of Compression Therapy for Inpatients With Venous Leg Ulcers—Perspectives of Hospital Staff Where It Is Routinely Applied

Lian, Yaping, Birt, Linda, Poland, Fiona, Naughton, Felix, Moffatt, Christine and Wright, David (2026) A Qualitative Study Examining the Application of Compression Therapy for Inpatients With Venous Leg Ulcers—Perspectives of Hospital Staff Where It Is Routinely Applied. International Wound Journal, 23 (2). ISSN 1742-4801

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Abstract

Compression therapy is the cornerstone, first-line effective evidence-based treatment for healing and managing venous leg ulcers. However, compression therapy is inconsistently applied in hospitals. This paper explores the experiences of a diverse group of clinicians and senior managers applying compression therapy in hospitals across the United Kingdom. A semi-structured qualitative interview study was conducted with 19 participants, drawn from a larger study, who confirmed that their respective hospitals apply compression therapy to inpatients with venous leg ulcers. The interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis generated four key themes: Patients ‘slip through the net’, Prioritisation in Hospital Care, A ‘blind Spot’ within Healthcare System and Motivation to Deliver Care. Patients ‘slip through the net’ refers to inpatients with venous leg ulcers face unequal access to compression therapy both within and between hospitals. Prioritisation in Hospital Care indicates how certain diseases are given greater emphasis within healthcare systems. A ‘blind Spot’ in Healthcare System described failing to implement compression therapy has created a critical underlying ‘blind spot’ within the NHS healthcare systems. Motivation to Deliver Care refers to a deep commitment to providing compression therapy, driven by clinicians' inherent dedication and ethical obligation towards improving patient quality of care. The study identified key challenges influencing the application of compression therapy in acute hospitals despite its routine use. These include the lottery of care, systemic inequities, unclear ownership, interprofessional disputes and organisational priorities. It also demonstrated the significant role of passion, motivation and moral responsibility encouraging clinicians to implement compression therapy despite these systemic barriers.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Data Availability Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	compression bandage,compression therapy,hospital clinicians,qualitative,venous leg ulceration
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Institute for Volunteering Research Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Dementia & Complexity in Later Life Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Mental Health and Social Care (fka Lifespan Health) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural and Implementation Science Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Public Health
Related URLs:	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	05 Feb 2026 00:17
Last Modified:	05 Feb 2026 00:17
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101842
DOI:	10.1111/iwj.70810

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