Experiences of lower limb cellulitis and cellulitis prevention: a qualitative interview study

Following on from our previous cellulitis research, we are currently conducting a qualitative interview study of Nurses’ EXperiences of preventing lower limb CELlulitis (NEXCEL study).

Cellulitis is a painful bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissues. Our previous research involved a survey and interview study of people who have had cellulitis to find out more about their views around the causes of cellulitis and their experiences of preventing recurrent episodes. Nurses who work in general practice (practice nurses) and nurses that see people at home or in care homes (community and district nurses) play an important role in managing long-term leg swelling, wounds, skin care and other risk factors for repeat episodes of cellulitis. Therefore, nurses are an important resource for understanding some of the key challenges in reducing the risk of repeat episodes of cellulitis.

We are conducting semi-structured telephone interviews with registered nurses working in primary care, community nursing teams and nursing care homes to explore their views and experiences of helping people manage risk factors for repeat episodes of cellulitis.

The findings of this study will provide valuable insight into nurses’ views and experiences of preventing lower limb cellulitis and will help us to design a larger study to develop engaging and effective support tools (website, videos, booklets) to help people with cellulitis reduce the risk of having further episodes of cellulitis.

The study aims to recruit approximately 30 participants, subject to achieving data saturation for main themes.

CHIEF INVESTIGATOR: Dr Emma Teasdale

FUNDER: NIHR SPCR FR19

Contact: e.j.teasdale@soton.ac.uk

Previous research

This study follows on from a survey and interview study of people who have had cellulitis to find out more about their views around the causes of cellulitis and their experiences of preventing recurrent episodes.

This work aimed to inform the development of strategies to reduce the risk of recurrent cellulitis and avoid antibiotic use for this condition.

Adults aged 18 or over with a history of cellulitis (both first and recurrent episodes) were invited through mail-out from primary care, opportunistic recruitment in secondary care and community advertising for both qualitative interviews and the survey. Participants could choose to take part in an interview or complete the survey, or took part in both.

CHIEF INVESTIGATOR: Dr Miriam Santer

STUDY COORDINATOR: Dr Emma Teasdale

FUNDER: NIHR SPCR FR11 (Project 319)