Short summary

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences and challenges immunosuppressive patients with warts on hands and/or feet experience, and to gain knowledge about the expectations of the patients towards the care and treatment of the warts. The findings of the study will contribute with new findings and hopefully improve the health services aimed at this group of patients.

Rationale

Immunosuppressive patients have an increased risk of developing Verrucae vulgaris. This group of patients might have numerous warts, which do not necessarily respond to the present treatments. Because of that treatment is often long-term. Studies show that the patients typically experience the warts to causes pain, creates social challenges and leads to frustrations and concerns about the course of treatment. It is known that the patients often have a reduced quality of life. There are no qualitative and descriptive studies that explore the challenges experienced by the patients.

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences and challenges immunosuppressive patients with warts on hands and/or feet experience, and to gain knowledge about the expectations of the patients towards the care and treatment of the warts

This study will have a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Data will be collected in the form of semi-structured interviews with 10 patients who are getting immunosuppressive treatment and are having warts on their hands and/or feet. 

The findings of the study will hopefully contribute new findings and nuances to the existing knowledge about this group of patients and increase the knowledge and insight among nurses concerning the challenges that this group of patient experiences and so improve the health services provided to this group of patients.

Description of the cohort

The cohort will include ten patients over 18 years diagnosed with Verruca vulgaris on the hands and/or feet, who are getting immunosuppressive therapy and are treated at The Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, OUH. The duration of the treatment should be at least half a year and the warts should have persisted for more than one year.

Data and biological material

Interviews

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital

• Katrine Helldén, RN
• Bettina Trettin, RN, PhD student