Uncertainty about cellulitis and unmet patient information needs: a mixed methods study in primary and secondary care

Teasdale, Emma; Lalonde, Anna; Muller, Ingrid; Chalmers, Joanne; Smart, Peter; Hooper, Julie; El-Gohary, Magdy; Thomas, Kim S.; Santer, Miriam

Abstract

Background: Cellulitis is a painful infection of the skin and underlying tissues, commonly affecting the lower leg: approximately a third of people experience recurrence. Patients’ ability to recover from cellulitis or prevent recurrence is likely to be influenced by their understanding of the condition.

Aim: To explore patients’ perceptions of cellulitis and their information needs.

Design and Setting: Mixed methods study comprising semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews and a cross‐sectional survey, recruiting through primary care, secondary care and advertising.

Methods: Adults aged 18 or over with a history of cellulitis were invited to take part in a survey, qualitative interview, or both.

Results: Thirty interviews were conducted between August 2016 and July 2017. Qualitative data highlighted: (1) low awareness of cellulitis prior to first episode, 2) uncertainty around the time of diagnosis, 3) concern/surprise at the severity of cellulitis, 4) perceived insufficient information provision. People were surprised they had never heard of cellulitis and that they had not received advice or leaflets giving self‐care information. Some sought information from the internet and found this confusing. Two hundred and forty surveys were completed (response rate 17%). These showed that, while many participants had received information on the treatment of cellulitis (60.0%, n=144), they often reported receiving no information about causes (60.8%, n=146) or prevention of recurrence (73.3%, n=176).

Conclusions: There is a need to provide information for people with cellulitis, particularly around (1) the name of their condition, (2) managing acute episodes and (3) reducing risk of recurrences.

Citation

Teasdale, E., Lalonde, A., Muller, I., Chalmers, J., Smart, P., Hooper, J., El-Gohary, M., Thomas, K. S., & Santer, M. (2019). Uncertainty about cellulitis and unmet patient information needs: a mixed methods study in primary and secondary care. British Journal of General Practice, 69(681), e279-e286. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp19X701873

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 14, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2019
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 17, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 2, 2020
• Journal: British Journal of General Practice
• Print ISSN: 0960-1643
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-5242
• Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 69
• Issue: 681
• Pages: e279-e286
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp19X701873
• Keywords: Family Practice
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1172481
• Publisher URL: https://bjgp.org/content/69/681/e279